Candidates competeing for Man & Woman of the Year do so in honor of local blood cancer survivors.  Those campaigning for the 2009 Man of the Year are raising funds in honor of five year old Haidyn Reinhardt, Girl of the Year.  Woman of the Year candidates are raising funds in honor of Charlie Morlock, our seven year old  Boy of the Year. The candidates time and effort and your donations will help these children and thousands of others in their fight against blood cancers.

2009 Girl of the Year
Haidyn Reinhardt

When leukemia picked Haidyn Reinhardt, it probably thought it was going to be an easy fight.  How much resistance does a three year old girl really have?  Two years later, we're pretty sure that leukemia has realized it picked the wrong kid to mess with.

When you first meet 5 year old Haidyn, you'll notice she doesn't want to be the center of attention.  She is a little shy, pretty soft spoken, and might be intimidated by strangers. 

Then you start to notice a little smile here or there and you might hear a giggle or two.  As she becomes more comfortable, you'll see her bright eyes and it's easy to notice her pretty blond hair.  She'll tell you all about her stuffed animals or her favorite ride at Disney World.  Given her love of coloring and doing crafts, you may end up going home with a picture made just for you. You will be hooked, because Haidyn is really that special.

But things weren't always that way.  The medications prescribed to treat leukemia are really tough on a child's body.  She lost her hair, had incredible weight fluctuations and had serious mood swings.  She knows more about doctors, hospitals, and medicine than most adults.  In general, she has endured more challenges than any young child should be subjected too. And she never complains.  Ever.

So as her parents, we'll complain for her.  We'll say that a cure is needed.  We'll say that funding research is important.  We'll say that no one should have to be as tough as Haidyn. 

As candidates, we hope each time you look at the smile on Haidyn's face, you'll know the effort you put into the LLS Man and Woman of the Year Campaign is truly changing lives. 

Let's show leukemia it picked the wrong group of people to mess with.

~ Mark and Kenna Reinhardt
  Haidyn's Parents

2009 Boy of the Year
Charlie Morlock

Charlie was just five years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on April 12, 2007. After ten days of chemotherapy at UNC, Charlie went home to begin his three year fight against this disease.  After three weeks of intense steroid treatment, Charlie was ready to get right back on his beloved bike.  He was a strong rider right up to his diagnosis and even rode four miles without complaining a week before.  Now, after starting treatment he was ready to get riding again.  He was unstoppable and still is!

Currently, Charlie is in first grade.  School is a happy place for him where he can be independent from medicines and the constraints of home.  He loves NASCAR, Star Wars, art, friends and most certainly his older sister, Sara. 

Now at the age of seven, Charlie has become a source of strength for many people young and old. He is considered in remission, but has endured many trips to Chapel Hill for chemotherapy treatments. He has been doing very well and I attribute this greatly to many funds that were raised in the past for leukemia patients like Charlie. However, there is much work to be done to ensure that all patients can have the successes that we have had with Charlie's treatment plan. There are other types of leukemia and cancers that do not have quite the success rate as does his.

It is our hope, as a family, that participation in the Man and Woman of The Year campaign and our relationship with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will shed light on the importance of funds for finding many more successful treatment plans like we have for our son Charlie.

 ~ Charlie & Meredith Morlock
    Charlie's Parents