Mike Madokoro '85

Mike Madokoro '85 (Life member) is a nominee in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) "Man & Woman of the Year" campaign (MWOY). This is a ten-week philanthropic competition that takes place from March 26 - June 8. Nominees compete by raising money for the cause; Madokoro's team, "Living the Dream - Aim for a Cure," has a fundraising goal of $250,000.

"We are working towards putting real money into the hands of LLS to fund real cancer research to help those who are diagnosed with blood cancers," Madokoro said.

The search for a cure is a personal one for Madokoro. In 1999, at age 37, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. "Receiving the diagnosis that I had cancer really stopped me in my tracks, but with the support of my family, friends and colleagues, and especially my wife, Debbie, feeling sorry for myself was not an option. They gave me the encouragement to not divert from my dreams. After undergoing chemotherapy, and enduring years of CT scans, PET scans, sticking, prodding and poking by doctors, along with the anxiety of waiting for the results each time, today I remain cancer free. Since my diagnosis in 1999, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been there for me in terms of educating me, providing support groups, and to confirm for me that I was making the right decisions for treatment and care."

To read more of Madokoro's story and his efforts to fund research, please click here.