From coast to coast, inspiring leaders unite local communities to raise funds to improve the lives of blood cancer patients
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer, has concluded its 2025 Visionaries of the Year campaign and has awarded Lee-Lee Ellis of Washington, D.C. as the National Visionary of the Year. Will Sabayrac of Palm Beach, FL was named the National Visionaries of the Year Runner-Up.
2025 National Visionary of the Year winner, Lee-Lee Ellis of Washington, D.C.
2025 National Visionary of the Year Runner-Up, Will Sabayrac of Palm Beach, FL
2025 National Visionary of the Year All Star, Dr. George Yaghmour of Los Angelos, CA
2025 National Visionary of the Year All Star Runner-Up All Star Runner-Up, Tim McBride of Charlotte, NC
Sarina Moss of Palm Beach, FL was named the campaign’s 2025 “Team Member of the Year”
Now in its 36th year, Visionaries of the Year mobilizes passionate leaders across the country to raise funds, elevate awareness, and fuel critical progress for blood cancer patients. For 10 weeks, candidates lead dedicated teams and build personal campaigns around LLS's three mission pillars: research, advocacy, and patient support. LLS recognizes these inspiring individuals as "Visionaries," and their efforts move LLS closer to its bold goal: to enable blood cancer patients to gain more than one million years of life by 2040.
Ellis, a health policy professional and longtime LLS advocate, earned the nationwide philanthropic competition's top title by raising a remarkable $466,856. She's also recognized for her exceptional leadership and deep dedication to the mission. Inspired by LLS's advocacy work, Ellis set out not only to raise critical funds but also committed to building a legacy of support and connections. Throughout the campaign, she guided survivors to become peer support volunteers and inspired team members to take on future leadership roles – while significantly surpassing her initial fundraising goal.
"This campaign showed me how powerful we can be when we come together for something bigger than ourselves. Every dollar, every conversation, every story shared—it all brings us closer to a world without blood cancer," said Ellis.
Sabayrac, this year's Runner-Up, raised an impressive $406,056 in support of LLS's mission. Having previously participated as a team member, he brought strategic focus and heartfelt passion to his campaign. From golf tournaments to clay shooting, each of Sabayrac's fundraising events tapped into different strategies and embodied what it means to give boldly with purpose.
LLS also recognizes the outstanding efforts of Visionaries of the Year "All Star" candidates – campaign alumni from across the country participating in the competition again.
The 2025 Visionary of the Year All Star, Dr. George Yaghmour, of University of Southern California, raised $255,826. His fundraising strategy centered on advocating for equitable access to care, advancing research, and standing with patients well beyond the hospital walls.
This year's All Star Runner-Up, Tim McBride from Charlotte, NC, raised $226,832 in honor of his parents and brother, all of whom he lost to cancer. McBride's powerful motivation and resolve to stop cancer from ruining more lives fueled a heartfelt and determined campaign, driven by personal purpose.
LLS named Sarina Moss of Palm Beach, FL as the campaign's National "Team Member of the Year" for her extraordinary $151,000 impact.
"LLS's mission is our call to action: to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families," said Coker Powell, LLS Chief Revenue Officer. "And this powerful campaign brings that mission to life across the country. Participants are true visionaries raising funds and making a real, transformational impact on lives."
To better reflect the community the organization serves, LLS recently announced it is becoming Blood Cancer United on August 28. To learn more about the name change, view the full announcement here.
The 2026 Visionaries of the Year campaign will be rolled out under Blood Cancer United. For more information about the campaign and the 2025 results, visit www.llsvisionaries.org.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer, and the largest nonprofit funder of blood cancer research, investing more than $1.8 billion in the most pioneering science worldwide since 1949. The LLS mission: Cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. LLS is focused on accelerating research, providing free support and services, and advocating for policies to ensure access to quality, affordable care. For more than 75 years, LLS has been helping blood cancer patients live longer, better lives.
To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients can contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Members of the media seeking more information or an interview, please contact: [email protected].
SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
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