Ursula McIntyre Named "Woman Of The Year" By Leukemia Society

Ursula McIntyre, an employee of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, has been named "Woman of the Year" by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter for her recent herculean fundraising efforts.

Ms. McIntyre is a longtime Yonkers resident, who came to America in 1982 from her native County Galway, Ireland.

She doubles as executive administrative assistant to casino president Timothy J. Rooney (since 1994), and is director of pari mutual for the raceway since 2006.

Inspired by her late father, Martin, who passed away from Lymphoma, McIntyre spearheaded efforts to raise funds for blood cancer research at the second annual Team Trinity banquet at the casino on May 10. McIntyre and her team generated $118,000 in proceeds.

"It was a team effort," said McIntyre. "My father was the inspiration. Cancer is everywhere. It feels good to do something. I can't cure it, so raising money for research is the next best thing. It's hard work, but very satisfying. It was a job well done but the entire committee. You can't do it alone."

The award was announced at the society's Grand Finale Celebration May 17 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown.

Pelham resident Joseph Solimine Sr. was named the chapter's "Man of the Year."

He works as an insurance advisor for Meridian Risk Management. Solimine served 14 years as the Pelham town supervisor, and also served at the president of the Pelham school board. The fight against leukemia is personal for Solimine. He was diagnosed with the disease five years ago and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition in communities across the U.S. in which participants vie for the title of Man or Woman of the Year.

They raise funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year.

The titles are awarded to the men and women in each community who raise the most funds during the ten-week campaign; the top local fundraisers in the country also win the national titles.