NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Coty Sensabaugh's campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year is in its final hours.
The 10-week window the second-year defensive back had to raise as much money and awareness is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. tonight and be followed by a private reception for all the candidates at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Sensabaugh has raised thousands of dollars (**click here to donate to Sensabaugh’s campaign**) for LLS to help patients with blood cancer and their families and honored his late brother Jamaar, who died at age 16, one week after he was diagnosed. Coty was 11 at the time and has been thankful for the opportunity to tribute his brother and help others.
He's learned "how tough (fundraising) is, how much work it takes and how many people are affected by these blood cancers. That's the biggest thing I've learned."
He's also received reminders of why he worked so hard by meeting patients and their families and the general public through several fundraisers and a fashion show.
There was also a special note in the mail.
"I think the biggest thing for me, two days ago in the mail I got a letter from a little kid. It said something like, 'Thank you for all you're doing to save our lives,' " Sensabaugh said. "That just really touched my heart, so when I got that letter — I'm going to reply to the kid—but when I got that letter I put it up on my refrigerator. That meant the most to me because that's what it's about at the end of the day."
Although the honor is quite prestigious, Sensabaugh said he hopes he comes in last because it will mean all the other candidates have done as well for the cause. The results will be announce at the reception.
"It was all about telling my brother's story and raising awareness and helping people who are affected by this," Sensabaugh said. "I feel me and my team did a tremendous job with it, and I hope the other candidates put their all into it, too, because when they do, we all win."
