Triangle residents compete to raise money for blood disorder treatment

Raleigh resident Lisa Cilento endured two failed chemotherapy treatments and visited 13 doctors before she was properly diagnosed with a blood disorder. 

“I think the topic of blood disorders can sometimes be overwhelming,” Cilento said. “You hear these stories about people and children being sick, and it’s like, ‘Gosh, what can I do? Can one person really make a difference?’”

The Triangle Man and Woman of the Year campaign is fueled by that idea — that that one man or woman is all it takes to change the nature of blood disorders by campaigning to find a cure. 

The campaign consists of men and women who fundraise on behalf of children who are local blood cancer survivors.

“Campaigners have to be nominated to be a part of the campaign. It’s a select group, so it’s an honor to even be a part of the campaign,” said senior campaign manager Katie McGinn. 

She said her belief in the power of fundraising is why she thinks this campaign is so successful.

“The real core of the campaign is the candidates reaching out to their networks, friends, family, coworkers and really just telling them why they are passionate about this cause,” McGinn said.

The campaign is a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s efforts to solve the unanswered questions accompanied with blood disorders. It takes place on national and local levels, and each man and woman who raises the most money locally will receive national accreditation. 

Cilento’s struggle with her blood disorder would have been drastically different if it weren’t for her clinical pharmacist practitioner at UNC Hospitals, Benyam Muluneh, who is a local representative in the campaign this year. 

“I asked Benyam if it’s really possible for a cure to be found, and he looked at me and said, ‘Well yeah, thats why I show up to work everyday,’” Cilento said.

Muluneh is motivated to fight for a cure after seeing all that the society can improve within blood disorders.

“It’s because of patients like Lisa who have a fighting spirit, along with a lot of the patients I've met who have a relentless spirit to continue going even when their bodies and spirits are weak,” Muluneh said.

“They continue to be resilient in their fight, and I wanted to join them in their fight the best way I can, to help raise money and help cure these blood cancers.”

The campaign kicked off on March 5, and the finale — the event at which the Triangle’s largest fundraisers are announced — will happen on May 16. 

This year, the campaign will be honoring two children from the Triangle area, Mason Brantley and Kaelyn Smith. 

Mason’s pediatrician suggested that he be tested for pneumonia after being forced to leave a ski trip early. As doctors continued to review the cause of Mason’s sickness, they discovered he suffered from leukemia. Today, after enduring successful treatment, Mason is in remission. 

Now 6 years old, Kaelyn was exhibiting odd symptoms in summer 2012. In July of that year, she was rushed to the hospital to begin treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

Kaelyn exhibited a positive spirit throughout the process, which is rare for most 3-year-olds enduring painful treatments, and her successful treatment plan ended in October. 

“Every 3 minutes a patient gets diagnosed with blood cancer, and every 10 minutes someone loses their life to blood cancer. These are not problems that are getting an adequate amount of funding, and LLS is really stepping up to answer the call,” Muluneh said. 

It is the goal of the society, the campaigners and those like Cilento who have suffered from blood disorders to prove that each person has the power to incite change together.

“What I’ve learned is that it’s a series of one person making a difference, and a small way to do that is to donate, even if it’s just five dollars. It doesn’t seem big, but it adds up quickly,” Cilento said.

“We all can't be doctors, but we all have five dollars we can give.”

city@dailytarheel.com