Chad Harthan, a rising senior at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, was named Man of the Year by the San Antonio chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Harthan, himself a leukemia survivor, raised more than $234,000 during the 10-week competition to claim the title.
 
He won the top spot among 17 candidates who raised a record total of $1.59 million. Proceeds from the local campaign first reached the Million Dollar Campaign ranks in 2013, and the amount has increased  each year since.
 
Harthan, who has been in remission for 15 years, received the award at a June 10 Grand Finale ceremony. “Thanks to each of you,” he told an audience of 600, “we have made a major impact for all blood cancer patients and honored those who have lost their battle.” He challenged them to “continue to pursue a world without cancers, a world where all the rooms on every hospital cancer floor are empty because there are no more patients.”
 
Area individuals and businesses “really came through in a big way supporting our candidates,” said Campaign Director Jessica De Souza, explaining  that this is the first time local fundraising has surpassed $1.5 million for the highly competitive Alamo City version of Man and Woman of the Year.
 
This is the campaign’s 23rd year nationally and the eighth year in San Antonio.
 
The Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition in communities across the United States. Participants raise funds for blood-cancer research in honor of local children who are survivors.  For details, visit www.mwoy.org/sctx.
 
About TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas
Founded in 1893 by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, with optional military (JROTC) and boarding programs. For information, visit www.tmi-sa.org or call 698-7171.