SCT BUR Area Rep Raises Over 40K, Wins LLS Man of the Year
Friday, May 18, 2012


Jim Thompson, LLS Man of the Year

Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate leaders engage in a spirited fundraising competition for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Each year, one man and one woman can earn the title LLS Man & Woman of the Year by fundraising the most money for blood cancer research and patient services. This year, that title went to one of NATCA’s own brothers, Southern California TRACON (SCT) Burbank Area Representative Jim Thompson.

In March, Thompson dove in with his natural passion for philanthropic causes and assembled a campaign team that included his nominator, Corine Rogers, and Sam Brotman, Jen Fowler, and Adrianne Bowden. Together, they started a journey to not just win the "Man of the Year" title, but also to raise as much money as they could for those suffering from a terrible disease over which no one has control.

By the end of the fundraiser, Thompson and his team raised over $40,000 by hosting several fundraising events at San Diego local hotspots such as the Fleetwood, Red Pearl Kitchen and Jolt’n Joes. With constant diligence and creativity, Thompson and his team were able to bring in hundreds and thousands of dollars at each event held.

To keep the competition interesting, the LLS wanted to keep everything very quiet in regards to the amount of money each competitor was raising. Therefore, no one knew what the outcome would be until the night of the banquet on May 10.

Thompson and his team found out they were the winners of the LLS Man of the Year Award during the banquet, blowing everyone out of the water by raising over $40,000 (exact estimate is still being confirmed), and second place winner raised around $20,000. And to put Thompson and his team’s win in perspective, last year’s winner brought in $23,000.

“I still can’t believe we pulled this off,” said Thompson. “I couldn’t have done it without the support from my friends, family and NATCA brothers and sisters! It still doesn’t seem real.”

Congratulations to Jim Thompson and team, Get on the Bus, for their  exceptional fundraising.


From left to right: Jim's dad, Jim Thompson Jr., friend Jonathan Kennedy, mom, Linda Thompson


LLS Man & Woman of the Year Candidates in pamphlet