Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, better known as LLS, runs a competition in communities across the country known as the LLS Man and Woman of the Year. This competition is dedicated in the effort to raise funds for LLS blood cancer research. Candidates are nominated through the organization’s website, and each year, the candidates who accept the nomination compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors.

Each dollar raised by a candidate counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes by the end of a 10-week period. That 10-week period comes to an end 6 p.m. June 2, and Whitehall resident David Turek is smack dab in the middle of the campaign’s excitement.

“I was nominated to run for the Man of the Year award in the winter of 2015. Although I knew of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of the Lehigh Valley, I had no idea about the magnitude of services they provide for those in need.” Turek said. “LLS is committed to raising money for research and patient services while honoring area patients and their families and finding a cure for all forms of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related illnesses.”

Known throughout the community as both a basketball and softball coach for the Hokendauqua Park and Playground Association, Turek spends his days as the vice president of ET&T Inc, Bethlehem, and has spent many years forging bonds with people throughout the Lehigh Valley. Apart from coaching, Turek is a family man with a wife and two daughters, both of whom graduated from Whitehall High School. Turek is also the president of the Parish Activities Group for his church and has been actively involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association through its MDA Lock Up campaign.

Turek decided to get involved with the Man of the Year campaign because during his coaching days, one of the girls on his daughter’s basketball team was diagnosed with leukemia and eventually lost her battle.

“Being involved with coaching was a great way to spend quality time and bond with my daughters and their friends. It was during this time, one of the girls was diagnosed,” Turek said. “Boy, it really hits home when a young person loses their battle to this terrible disease. I couldn’t do anything about it then, but I can now and I never hesitated when asked to help with this campaign.”

Turek’s family has been busy during the campaign rallying behind him in efforts to spread the word.

“My family is very supportive of my campaign efforts. In fact, my family makes up for more than half of my fundraising team, joining in and helping to collect donations and raise awareness. Community support is critical.

“This entire campaign revolves around the community coming together, donating funds to raise awareness and find cures for all types of blood cancers. For me, it’s not about winning the title. It’s about finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.”

To donate towards Turek’s campaign and the fight against blood cancer you can visit his donation website at mwoy.org/pages/epa/lehigh16/dturek or send a check to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1525 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Write “David Turek MOY Campaign” on the notes line.