The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Texas Gulf Coast Chapter will celebrate the official Man and Woman of the Year Campaign kick off. The 25 local men and women vying for the title of Man and Woman of the Year will gather with their supporters, colleagues and competitors to be recognized for their efforts.

Candidates compete in honor of the Boy and Girl of the Year — Paxton Smith, 5, and Corinne Miller, 6 — who will also be in attendance to share their stories of winning battles with leukemia.

This evening marks the night candidates can begin their fundraising.

All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.