The 2014 Man of the Year Competition includes Nadder Nejad From Major Hyundai in Stroudsburg, PA

March 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last September when a routine trip to the doctor quickly turned into a month-long stay in the hospital and a life-changing diagnosis for 16-year-old Natalie Rojas. The Stroudsburg High School student woke up that day with a low-grade fever. It was a Friday, and Rojas didn't want to miss school. By third period, she decided to lie down in the nurse's office and wait for her mother to pick her up. At the doctor's office, Rojas was referred to Pocono Medical Center for blood work, but it wasn't until that evening when her family got a phone call telling them to immediately go to Lehigh Valley Hospital that it all sunk in.

"I was just shocked, because I was getting ready to start school. I had just gone all summer thinking about my junior year, and now this. Now cancer," Rojas said. Natalie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Natalie has many heroes, she considers everyone who has helped her in a special way when she most needed it a hero.

The Boy & Girl of the Year are Honored Patients in The Man & Woman of the Year Campaign.  The Boy & Girl of the Year are children who have a blood cancer, or are in remission from a blood cancer.  They represent the daily and lifelong challenges that a diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, and myeloma bring to a family.  Traditionally, the Men run in honor of the Girl of the Year and the Women run in honor of the Boy of the Year.

Nadder Nejad is the General Manager for Major Hyundai in Stroudsburg, Pa. Nadder has been a resident of Whitehall for the past 24 years where he resides with his wife, Connie and their two boys, Nick and Conner.

Nadder is the current President of the Zephyr Football Club and is a previous officer for the Schadt Avenue Park and Playground Baseball Organization.

During Nadder’s free time he enjoys cooking and is a self proclaimed “foodie”.  The Nejad’s are a huge sports family.  They enjoy attending professional sporting events and are kept busy with a full schedule of the boy’s football, basketball and baseball games.

Nadder has been involved in philanthropic projects through the Blazeman Foundation and decided to become involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society when asked by two of his friends who are both past Man of the Year winners.  He also said it is a great cause and an opportunity to make a difference. Nadder plans on raising money for his campaign through corporate asks and has planned two events at Keystone Pub in Whitehall and Pints and Pies in Easton.

Winners will be announced at the Grand Finale at Woodstone Country Club on May 29, 2014. The night will be a celebration of all the candidates’ collective efforts as they enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, and dinner and dancing.

In 2013, 9 candidates collectively raised over $172,000. Andy Lee of Hellertown earned the title of Man of the Year and Janine Reppert of New Tripoli claimed the title of Woman of the Year.  In 2012, Dan Dortic, President of Major Hyundai earned the title of Man of the Year raising $82,000 single handedly.

    If you would like to support Nadder, you can donate to his campaign at:          http://www.mwoy.org/pages/epa/lehigh14/nnejad

For more information about the campaign as well as the candidates, please contact Campaign Manager, Pamela Formica, at (610) 266-8513, ext. 2103 or Pamela.formica@lls.org

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada including the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.