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April 24, 2014 – Wednesday night, Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel representative, was honored by Viking Cruises as godmother of the European longship, Viking Magni. The event was held at the Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale and was also a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society® (LLS).
 

The Viking Cruises team supports Cruise Planners’ CEO, Michelle Fee on her journey as a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year candidate, and Cruise Planners COO, Vicky Garcia, who is also godmother of the Viking Magni. Photo credit: Julia Rose 

“I am honored Viking Cruises wanted to continue the godmother celebration in my hometown with my family and industry friends,” said Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners-American Express Travel who actually christened the ship in Amsterdam last month. “Hosting last night’s spectacular event and encouraging us to raise money for our LLS campaign showcases Viking’s dedication to Cruise Planners and our mutual desire to help end cancer.”

Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners and Woman of the Year candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, was supported by Viking Cruises and Cruise Planners COO Vicky Garcia on Wednesday night at the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit: Julia Rose 

At the event, partygoers were able to bid on auction items including sports memorabilia, art, cruises, trips and other travel-related swag to raise money for the South Florida chapter of LLS. Garcia serves on the LLS Board of Trustees and was named LLS Woman of the Year in 2012 where she raised $115,000 during the 10-week campaign. To continue supporting LLS’s mission, Garcia nominated her best friend and Cruise Planners CEO, Michelle Fee, for LLS’s Woman of the Year 2014, with a mission to beat Garcia’s record. Since then, Cruise Planners, which is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, has been on a mission to proactively raise money for LLS.  

Auction items including art, sports memorabilia, cruises, trips and other travel-related swag to raise money for the South Florida chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit: Julia Rose 


“Vicky’s sister, Myra, lost her battle with cancer last year and is a huge inspiration behind our campaign to support finding a cure,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. “When Myra’s tribute video played – showcasing some of the fond memories we shared – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”

The event raised more than $20,000 in memory of Myra Garcia, Vicky Garcia’s sister. Guest of honor Vicky Garcia is pictured here with relatives – cousin Crystal Serra, mother, Elda Garcia and wife, Carol Alexander.
Photo credit: Julia Rose 

Through Cruise Planners’ “CP Cares” umbrella program, Cruise Planners is committed to supporting LLS and various charities. The event raised more than $20,000 toward Fee’s LLS goal of raising $115,000 during the 10-week campaign.

The Cruise Planners Home Office “Cruisitude for a Cure” team supporting Viking Cruises, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Cruise Planners on Wednesday night at the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit: Julia Rose 

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