East Hampton Man Trying To Raise $20k To Fight Blood Cancers

Robert Almeraz of East Hampton has been selected as the candidate for the Long Island Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Man & Woman of the Year" campaign.

Almeraz has raised over $10,000 by finishing 13 marathons to help find a cure for blood cancers.

“I researched the organization and found it was something I wanted to get involved in as my Aunt Sarah had died from Hodgkin’s disease and my friend’s father, Richard, has passed away from Leukemia,” Almeraz said in a statement from the society.

He has been involved in the Long Island chapter since May 2005.

“I decided to become a “Man & Woman of the Year” candidate to help boost people’s awareness of what the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is trying to accomplish,” he said. “I will draw inspiration from my Aunt Sarah and friend’s dad, Richard, who passed away and also from my friend, Nina Saccaro, someone who I recently learned is a survivor.”

As candidate in this year's campaign, he has committed to raising a minimum of $20,000 over a 10-week period from April 5 to June 14.  Funds raised through the campaign are used for blood cancer research, financial assistance to cover patient expenses for transportation, medication and testing, free educational materials and events for patients and their families, local programs such as Family Support Groups and First Connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program; and comprehensive, personalized assistance.

The highest male and female fundraisers are then awarded the titles.

Almeraz is a customer service representative for in East Hampton, which is the longest continuously operating insurance business on the East End.

For more information on how to support him, visit www.mwoy.org/li or contact Elizabeth Harman, Campaign Manager of the Leukemia &  Lymphoma Society, Long Island Chapter at 631.370.7539 or elizabeth.harman@lls.org.