Mark Friedenthal’s family is no stranger to battling Lymphoma and Leukemia.
His wife, Donielle, lost her father to Lymphoma nine years ago. Donielle’s grandmothers both died of Leukemia/Lymphoma, as well.
And although Mark and Donielle learned there is no evidence of heredity in blood cancers, they haven’t stopped fighting to find a cure for the millions of people touched by the diseases.
Donielle’s younger sister Sonia has also been active with the Friedenthal’s efforts to bring awareness and raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma by participating in Light the Night and other local events.
As Mark got more involved with fundraising efforts, he began to reach out to his friends in the office. He quickly learned that everyone at Friedenthal Financial in Voorhees knew someone who had battled or is still battling Leukemia and Lymphoma.
“It was eye-opening to see everyone at work. There are variations of blood cancer and it affects a lot of people,” Mark said.
Because of his family’s efforts, Mark recently learned he was nominated by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, New Jersey Chapter for the Man/Woman of the Year award.
Mark said seven men and seven women have been nominated for the statewide award. In its three-year history, no one from South Jersey has ever received the designation.
Nominees are charged now with raising money to help find a cure, a task Mark said he is happy to take on. The family is looking for donations large and small and just hoping to get the word out.
All money raised goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and will help support the discovery of blood cancer therapies and fund research to find cures, Mark said.
Nominees will find out who will me named man and woman of the year on June 7 at the grand finale gala. Tickets are $150 and count as 150 votes. To buy a ticket, send an email to [email protected] or visit http://nj.mwoy.llsevent.org/MARKFRIEDENTHAL.
Mark said he is optimistic a cure will be found for Leukemia and Lymphoma in the future.
“Things that killed people 20 years ago … people are living with it now and living with it a lot longer,” Mark said. “It’s great for us to be able to contribute to that cause.”
