Trenton Leffingwell was just 2 when he lost his father, Tony, to leukemia 10 years ago.
Leffingwell and his mother, Kelli Leffingwell Bonacci, have been actively campaigning ever since to raise money and awareness for blood cancer research.
Leffingwell's latest endeavor was becoming the youngest person in Texas to win Man of the Year, the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
's annual competition in which candidates in each chapter compete to raise money for blood cancer research.
Even though his competitors in the San Antonio chapter were half a dozen businessmen from the area, Leffingwell raised more than any other candidate, $54,763, to win the award.
“It was kind of funny when we announced Man of the Year candidates,” said Deborah Barker, the deputy executive director of the local LLS chapter. “All the other candidates were like, ‘Forget it. We lost.' They were all very supportive, and I think a few of them actually may have made donations to him, too. It's a very friendly competition.”
Bonacci, who has served on LLS' board since 2002, had reservations about her son competing for Man of the Year and made sure he ran for his own reasons and not to please anyone, including herself.
Leffingwell, a student at St. George Episcopal School, had his reasons, though, and said the competition helped him find peace of mind.
“It's really helped me be able to talk about my dad,” Leffingwell said. “It's also helped me be able to say that I don't remember him. Before, it was hard for me to say that ... but after this it's a lot easier.”
Ray Bell, a candidate for the award and family friend of Leffingwell, offered nothing but praise for the pre-teen and said he was different than his peers.
“To the point that he lost a father, yes,” Bell said. “I think he cares because of what he hasn't had.”
Leffingwell took a very different approach to raising money, sticking to grass-roots style fundraising while the other candidates held dinners and parties.
“I sent out probably 500 letters to friends and family,” Leffingwell said. “I emailed a lot of stuff. I posted a lot of stuff on Facebook. I did a lot of face-to-face, just people we know. Events cost a lot of money, and it takes a lot of effort and takes a lot of time. You could probably get the same amount of money just going face-to-face.”
Leffingwell and his mother know age likely played in their favor, but that did not make winning any less sweet, and the pair showed it at the award ceremony in May.
“I heard about her table, because she had a couple tables of people,” Barker said. “The shouts were immediate. Everybody's reaction was hugely excited for him and for Kelli.”
After the victory and several TV and radio interviews, Leffingwell returned to life as a normal 12-year-old boy, his mission accomplished.
“Ten years ago my dad passed away, and I wanted to do this to honor him,” Leffingwell said. “I think my dad's proud of me right now.”