Ochsner Oncologist Named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s MSLA Market 2022 Woman of the Year

Dr. Suma Satti led $100K+ fundraising campaign to fight blood cancer

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Every nine minutes, somebody in the U.S. dies of a blood cancer. And, in today’s times of uncertainty, cancer patients need support now, more than ever. Suma Satti, MD, thoracic medical oncologist with the Ochsner Cancer Institute, has been named the winner of this year’s “Woman of the Year” of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Mississippi-Louisiana Region. Man & Woman of the Year is a philanthropic competition to fight blood cancer among a group of motivated and dedicated individuals in communities across the United States.

During a spirited 10 weeks, beginning with a kickoff celebration, candidates across the country competed in honor of young, local blood cancer survivors, E.B. Wisecarver and Nora Burns, to raise the most funds to ensure a world without blood cancers. Dr. Satti and her team raised $107,436 to support LLS’s goal to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments.

Candidates and their campaign teams were judged solely on virtual fundraising success this campaign season, each dollar counting as one vote. Their totals are then considered for the national title. Candidates in each LLS Region across the country vie for the local title, and the highest fundraisers earn the title of National Man & Woman of the Year. The funds are used by LLS in endeavors such as:

• Research to advance lifesaving therapies like immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine, which are saving lives today.
• Free blood cancer information, education and support for patients and families.
• National and local advocacy efforts are driving policies that accelerate new treatments and ensure patients have access to care so that they can live longer, healthier lives.

Dr. Satti signed onto the campaign because of her passion and belief in all-inclusive care for all patients, including those she treats at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and the St. Tammany Cancer Center- A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center in Covington.

“It’s not just the disease process; a cancer patient’s life falls apart when they get a diagnosis, so we need to do whatever it takes to get them the best care,” she shared. “It is our job, responsibility, and honor to make sure they have options for quality care, research, and even basic amenities like transportation.”

Upon receiving her title, Dr. Satti stated, “I consider myself humbled to be in this position to help those in need and it’s an honor to raise money in this way to ensure resources needed to take care of them.”

All the Man & Woman of the Year candidates and their teams ran incredible fundraising campaigns which involved local give back nights, writing letters to friends and family, making corporate sponsorship asks, and incorporating the LLS mission into all their fundraising endeavors. Fourteen candidates and 131 team members all raised funds in honor of two local patients—Nora Burns and E.B. Wisecarver were both diagnosed with Leukemia at an incredibly young age. They have a few years left of treatment but are both full of energy and light up any room they enter. All participants were honored to meet these heroes at the Grand Finale Celebration, last Friday.

“Congratulations to Dr. Satti and to all our candidates, team members, supporters, and volunteers who helped to make Man & Woman of the Year campaign a phenomenal success,” said Billie Sue Parris, LLS’s Gulf Coast Region executive director. “It was a pleasure being in person after the COVID-19 pandemic. After a challenging year, it has not stopped LLS from advancing our mission and it sure did not stop these determined candidates from their commitment to helping blood cancer patients. We’re so grateful to the Man and Woman of the Year candidates and volunteers who fundraised for LLS — they are truly bringing us closer to a world without blood cancer.”

Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $1.3 billion in cutting edge blood cancer research worldwide, and its support has been instrumental in the development of nearly every breakthrough in blood cancer treatment. To address the unique concerns of blood cancer patients throughout the pandemic, LLS has amplified its longstanding efforts to provide free information and support to blood cancer patients and their families, while also advocating for policies that will protect patients.

Visit the Man & Woman of the Year website (www.mwoy.org) and learn how you can become engaged with LLS.

To learn more about Dr. Satti and cancer care at Ochsner, visit Ochsner.org/cancer-care.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 34,000 employees and over 4,500 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 40 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.