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Todd is
Blood Cancer United

Headshot of Todd wearing suit and tie, a cancer survivor

This cause is dear to me because my grandmother, Anne Zavorskas, passed away several years ago from Hodgkin’s disease—a form of leukemia. Also, many years ago, my mentor’s son, Ryan Hurley, had a recurrence of leukemia, which he was first diagnosed with at the age of three. He died at the age of 19. Unfortunately, leukemia at the time caused more deaths than any other cancer in children under the age of 20. These instances led me to my desire to donate time and money to this particular charity. I have volunteered my time and fundraising expertise ever since.

For the past 27 years, I have raised over $246,000 to help eradicate blood cancer. All of my hard work and dedication to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s CTWHV Chapter has earned me their 2000 prestigious "Unsung Hero" Award as well as the 2005 Mid-Fairfield County American Red Cross "Unsung Hero" award for my charitable work, both of which I deeply appreciate. I also received the 2016 Campaign Innovation Award from LLS for incorporating geekdom into my Man of the Year Campaign successfully. These recognitions are humbling, and I appreciate the recognition of years of hard work and charitable giving.

Today, I am a 2022 Greater CT Honorary Man of the Year Candidate for LLS. I am now less than 4K away from the Lifetime Goal of $250,000 raised for LLS over the years in Grammy Z’s honor.  Grammy was a constant growing up the son of a now-retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. She would travel the globe to make annual trips to visit my family wherever we were stationed—including Athens, Greece. I know she is still with me and will be smiling down on me when Team Zombie Leader hits our mark.  

Todd

Volunteer

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
Person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and hiking backpack stands outdoors against a scenic mountain landscape with evergreen trees and patches of golden foliage. The image highlights an active moment in nature and reflects resilience, strength, and quality of life within the blood cancer community, emphasizing the importance of survivorship and living well after a blood cancer diagnosis.

Jean

smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM)

Portrait of a blood cancer survivor wearing glasses, a light blue top, and a beaded necklace while seated indoors against a neutral background. The close-up image highlights a member of the blood cancer community and reflects survivorship, resilience, and the ongoing impact of blood cancer awareness, support, and advocacy.

Nancyjean

multiple myeloma (MM)

Person seated in a medical exam room during a healthcare appointment, with blood pressure monitoring equipment visible in the background. This image represents the blood cancer journey, highlighting ongoing medical care, treatment monitoring, survivorship, and the importance of regular healthcare visits for people affected by blood cancer.

Johansa

multiple myeloma (MM)

Headshot of Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

Chuck

leukemia

Close-up portrait of an individual wearing glasses and a dark shirt indoors, with a clear view of facial features against a softly blurred background—highlighting personal strength, advocacy, and lived experience within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness.

Marty

multiple myeloma (MM)

Two children stand together on a wooden bridge at a theme park, wearing colorful character-themed outfits and mouse ear headbands, with a large green topiary figure and water feature in the background—highlighting childhood joy, family moments, and hope within the blood cancer community and pediatric blood cancer awareness.

Riley

Family member and caregiver

Studio-style portrait of an older adult wearing a striped dress shirt and red patterned tie against a soft blue background—highlighting personal legacy, remembrance, and the lasting impact of individuals within the blood cancer community and awareness efforts.

Laurence

multiple myeloma (MM)

Close-up selfie of an individual wearing glasses and a “I rang the gong” shirt from MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlighting a significant milestone in treatment—symbolizing hope, resilience, and survivorship within the blood cancer community and awareness of cancer treatment completion.

Kim

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Individual stands outdoors in front of tall city buildings wearing athletic gear and a race bib numbered 2483, hands on hips after a race—highlighting strength, endurance, and active advocacy within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness through fitness and fundraising events.

Sally

multiple myeloma (MM)

Close-up outdoor portrait of a blood cancer survivor with a shaved head, wearing a blue sleeveless top and standing in front of a garden backdrop. The image highlights blood cancer survivorship, resilience during treatment, and hope for individuals affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Dannie

nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL)

Person sitting in a hospital bed during blood cancer treatment, holding a medical collection bag while connected to clinical monitoring equipment. The image highlights blood cancer survivorship, stem cell transplant care, patient resilience, and advances in treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Haley

multiple myeloma (MM)

Portrait of a blood cancer survivor wearing glasses and looking toward the camera. This image represents blood cancer survivorship, patient advocacy, lymphoma and leukemia awareness, and the strength of the blood cancer community.

Julie

IgG lambda multiple myeloma ISS-R

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is now Blood Cancer United. Learn more.