Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is crowned as the South Florida Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year at the Journey of Hope Gala alongside the Boy and Girl of the Year, Josh Pita and Alexandra Orzech, both cancer survivors. Fee’s campaign raised a record-breaking $291,382 to help end cancer. Photo Credit: Valerie Sands of V Sands Photography
“We were motivated to raise the money to help fight cancer by our friends and family who are affected by the disease,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “It is a welcomed surprise to be crowned Woman of the Year in honor of our loved ones who have battled cancer – I view them as the true heroes.”
Fee was inspired to run by Myra Garcia, who lost her fight with cancer last year, and who is the older sister of Vicky Garcia, COO and Co-owner of Cruise Planners and a past Woman of the Year honoree.
“I am honored that Michelle ran for LLS in my sister’s memory and it means so much to me and my family,” said Vicky Garcia, COO and Co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “The Cruise Planners family continues to be passionate about giving back and we are honored to make such a positive impact.”
LLS’s Woman of the Year is a prestigious national campaign that focuses on raising money for the fight against blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. During the campaign, Fee, along with other movers and shakers in South Florida had 10 weeks to accumulate the most “votes” – every dollar raised counted as one vote and fundraising totals were kept secret until Saturday’s grand finale celebration. For the first time ever, two candidates raised more than $100,000 each toward the campaign, and Fee took home the crown by more than doubling the standing record. The Cruise Planners team used creative fundraisers, online auctions, big events and small ones to raise the record-breaking funds.
“Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, and our team remained dedicated to helping fund a cure,” Fee said. “I know Myra is looking down upon us as we celebrate life and fight for those who need support.”
As an icon in the travel industry, and co-owner of the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, Fee focused on leveraging her travel-industry partnerships, cruise line relationships and community involvement throughout South Florida in an effort to raise critical cancer-curing funds for LLS.
Some of the brands that supported the campaign include: AMAWaterways, American Express Vacations, Apple Vacations, Azamara Club Cruises, Beaches, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Collette Vacations, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Vacations, Effy Jewelry, Funjet, Globus Family of Brands, Imagine Weddings & Events, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gaugin, Royal Caribbean International, Sandals, Silversea Cruises, SproutLoud, Star Clippers, Sunset Yacht Cruises, Viking Cruises, Zulu Nyala African Safari.
Candidates run in honor of the Boy & Girl of the Year, who are local blood cancer patient survivors and sources of inspiration chosen for their strength and winning attitudes to motivate each candidate during the campaign. This year’s Boy of the Year is Josh Pita and Girl of the Year is Alexandra Orzech– they and their families represent the voice for the thousands of patients who have been helped by LLS’ patient services and research.
LLS will continue to fund leading-edge research for treatments and cures, increase government advocacy, and education programs for hundreds of thousands of patients battling blood cancers.
Through the CP Cares umbrella program, Cruise Planners is committed to raising and donating funds to various charities as well as providing hands-on service to the community. In 2014, CP Cares will continue to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® while also contributing to various local organizations throughout the year.
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