A Jim Thorpe native is commemorating her late brother by fundraising in his name.

The local chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has announced the 17 candidates who think they have what it takes to earn the prestigious titles of Man & Woman of the Year, bringing us closer to a world without blood cancers.

This year, one person who cannot win the title, Heather Formica, threw her hat in the ring to raise money in memory of her late brother, David Formica, to try to link a research grant in his name for Pediatric Cancer Awareness by raising $50,000 in 10 weeks.

Heather said funds can start to be collected today as part of a 10-week fundraising campaign. The winner will be announced June 10.

The candidates are raising funds and awareness for the LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Heather’s goal is to link David’s name to an LLS research grant to fund LLS’ Children’s Initiative to find a cure for pediatric cancer. David was 15 years old when he lost his four-year battle to leukemia.

That was 15 years ago.

Heather and David’s story

Formica, who currently resides in Salisbury Township, said her mom still lives in Jim Thorpe, while her grandparents live in Lehighton.

“My family raises money every year in memory of David, my brother and best friend, who lost his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July 2006 at the age of 15,” Heather said. “This year will mark 15 years that he is no longer with us. I cannot believe that he has been gone the same amount of time that we were able to have him here with us.

“David was a typical 11-year-old boy until one unforgettable day in October of 2002, when David was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In July of 2006, our world came crashing in when David lost his courageous four-year battle with leukemia at the age of 15.

“Since his passing our family, Doin’ it for David, continues to relentlessly fundraise and bring awareness to this terrible disease in his memory.”

Heather said people should consider donating, no matter what size.

“If for no other reason, help make David’s dream become a reality that no other child under the age of 11 ever know what it is like to live with leukemia,” she said. “David would always say how grateful he was to know 11 good years without cancer.

“Please help us make someday, today, and find a cure for all of those still battling.

“My personal dream goal would be to reach $50,000 to link a research grant in his name. Every penny counts toward this goal, and I know that the economy is tight right now, so anything that you could give would help.”

Heather responded to why she still walks.

“David isn’t here anymore, what’s the point? The point is this, I do not want any other sister to lose her best friend over a something out of anyone’s control. What happened to David wasn’t fair, it wasn’t easy, but if helping to find a cure helps make someone else’s diagnoses or coping easy, then that is the point.

“No one should have to go through this disease, especially a child, and no one should have to go through it alone. Join myself and my team in banding together to find a cure and give just one person that hope I wish we had … we can’t do it alone, but we can do it together because we are relentless.”

Pamela Formica, director, is David’s mother.

“LLS is committed to ending this fight and ending this campaign in honor of these patients, families and caregivers that need us to rally for them,” Pam Formica said. “The Man and Woman of the Year campaign does just that. It raises much-needed funds for blood cancer research, because at the end of the day we are all fighting for the same thing - a world without cancer.

“During a crisis like the one our nation is facing right now; we are all getting a small glimpse of what our patients and their families are feeling every day as they battle blood cancer. What our community needs now is HOPE, and that is no different from what our patients need as well.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to help Heather reach her and David’s dream may do so at www.DoingitforDavid.com.