Students of the Year Los Angeles
Frances AbuShanab | Mighty Shrimps
Frances's Students of the Year Fundraiser
I am thrilled to be nominated to compete for Students of the Year (SOY). What is SOY? SOY is a charity focused leadership development program for high school students. SOY raises money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS is the largest non-profit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancer. Since 1949, LLS has invested nearly $1.3 billion in groundbreaking research, pioneering many of today’s most innovative approaches. Personally, LLS research helped save my life and many others.
When I was three years old I was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I went through 26 months of treatment. Before I was diagnosed, a kid named Harry from my preschool was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML). After I was diagnosed, one of my friend’s dad was diagnosed with lymphoma. Unfortunately, my friend’s dad did not survive but Harry and I did. After my treatment, my mom joined Team and Training and as a family, we participated in light the night every year. LLS has been a part of our lives since I was diagnosed.
Two years ago I was the Girl of the Year for the Man and Woman of the year campaign and last year I was the Honored Hero for the SOY campaign. My experience as Girl of the Year and Honored Hero inspired me to participate as a candidate for students of the year for the 2021 campaign. I want to raise funds for families like mine who are going through the same thing that my family went through when I was diagnosed.
Since LLS was founded in 1949, survival rates for many blood cancers have doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled! Forty percent of all new FDA approved cancer therapies were developed to help cure blood cancer. These revolutionary approaches funded by LLS are developing effective treatments for breast and pancreatic cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and even diabetes. Amazing research is funded by generous people like you! On January 14th, 2021
“The Mighty Shrimps” will launch our seven week-long campaign to raise awareness and money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Our goal is big but with the help of everyone, we can reach it. Our goal is $100,000!
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I know this is an extremely unusual time in our history where we are battling a pandemic, economic hardship, and unresolved racial inequity in our country. This has affected LLS and the patients it supports. The unfortunate reality is cancer does not take time off. I hope you can join us in this effort so we can be the answer to curing cancer. Please support my team in one of the following ways.
-
You can donate at our website: https://events.lls.org/calso/lasoy21/fabushanab
-
You can write a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and use the enclosed envelope. Please be sure to write our team name, “The Mighty Shrimps” on the memo line. (Message me for the address).
-
You can donate an auction item that will be auctioned off at our Grand Finale Gala. Timeshare, sports tickets, or gift baskets are great ideas.
-
You can become a corporate sponsor or sponsor the Students of the Year’s Grand Finale Gala and receive partnership benefits from LLS. Just ask me how!
All donations are tax-deductible (13-5644916). If your company offers a matching gift program be sure to submit it. Please share my website with anyone you think would be interested in donating.
Best,
Frances
98 Comments
Margaret A Callahan
Congratulations Frances I am very proud of you.
Terry Roberts
I appreciate your efforts Sarah Terry Roberts
Dr. David Kraushaar
Dear Cousin Frances, I have also had lymphoma over 15 years ago. I have fortunately been cured, as I hope you have. I was actually one of the first to have RCHOP chemo which was effective. I am rooting for you to exceed your very admirable goal of fund raising. good luck to you in this pursuit. Cousin Dr. David Kraushaar
lisa algert
Way to go, Fran!
Johanna Kracke
Frances you are an inspiration!! Go get em!
Janice Ignacio
Wishing you all the best. Please tell your mom I said hello! Janice Barug Ignacio
Jennifer Gee
Thank you for your leadership and service Frances! I love seeing how you've taken your own experience and channeled into something that will help so many others!
Koudsi Family
Congrats Frances!!! So proud of you and what you're doing!! xoxo the Koudsi's
Susan Roper
💪🏼❤️
The Malovos Family
Keep up the great work Frances!
DeAnna Kruger
You are a true inspiration Frances, we are happy to help out. Love, The Kruger Family
Robert Abu Shanab
So proud of your accomplishments Love, Papa Bob
Anonymous
What a wonderful cause!!!
Anonymous
You are growing up so fast Frances! Love seeing updates of you that your parents post! Good luck with your fundraising and hopefully I’ll see you in LA sometime soon when visiting. Paula Bass
Ngaio Haupt
Great job, for a great cause!!
Full Stack Finance
Congratulations Frances!
Stutsman Family
Good luck in reaching your goal Frances! You are doing great work!
The Fink Family
Congratulations Frannie on all your inspiring accomplishments!
Shana Aelony
Thank you Frances for your work to raise funds so we can have more survivors and fewer victims. I dedicate this donation in memory of my beloved grandmother, who died of leukemia. And holding hope for our friends and children especially fighting lymphoma.
Neville Ward Clipston
Good luck team!
Christine Abraham
Proud to support you, Frances!
Annika, Susan and Brian Anderson
Happy to support you and The Mighty Shrimps in your fundraising for this cause Frances!
The Kwak Family
Inspiring to see all that you are doing. Go Frances!
Matt and Mandy Bailey
Honored to stand and fight with you Frances!
Candy Renick
Best of luck to the Mighty Shrimp in reaching their goal!
Mary Nancy Hollis
We are so honored to support you and this amazing cause, Frannie!!
Lisa Fontaine
Go Franny!
Nancy Chandler
You are such an inspiration! You don't know me, but I was working with your mom when you were first diagnosed. It is so wonderful to hear how far you've come and all you are doing to help others. Congratulations!
Andi Owen
So proud of you, Frances!
The Cudzil Family
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Frances. You are an inspiration to all of us!! :)
Anonymous
Frances, I am Erin Alley’s dad. You are doing great work. Keep it up. Madhu
Jeff Porter
Way to go Frannie. Proud of you!
Sean, Holly, and India Clark
Way to go, Francis!
Prehn Family
❤️
Julie Reid-Ware Manska
Such a worthy cause!!!!! ??
Dr. Kenneth Jacobs
Dear Frances, We are so proud of you and happy to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "The Mighty Shrimps". Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Jacobs
Tres Jiménez Fontaine
Thank you Franny Frances for your amazing work and for courageously sharing your story. I lost my beloved dad 2 years ago to Non-Hodgkins type Lymphoma, and the work of the LLS helped support one of his chemo drugs. With love and deep appreciation, Tres Jiménez Fontaine
Lisa Rafferty
Congrats to the Mighty Shrimp!!
Jim Knight
Frances, thank you for your leadership, love and care for others. Your work in this area is doing so much good. I am inspired.
Daniel Kraushaar
We are cousins. I was very close with your mother, uncle Dana, and your parents. Your grandfather wowed me with his magician skills. I hope you take the time to learn more about our side of the family. We are, and always have been a very caring family. I hope to meet you one day!
Brenda Shanks
Congratulations on being nominated and for all you do to raise funds and bring awareness.
Leslie and Edith
Go Franny!!! Xoxo leslie and Edith
Miki Yoshimoto
Dear Frances, What you are doing is so inspiring and admirable. I hope you reach your goal and continue on your journey of fighting to end Leukemia.
Liz Suggs
❤️❤️
Charlene H.
Frances, you and your family showed great courage during your childhood diagnosis and treatment. While it was over 10 years ago that you were diagnosed, I recall very clearly the strength you and your parents showed. Thank you for being a good example to those of us who have faced cancer and beat it! - Charlene, Survivor of Pancreatic Cancer
Patrick Higby
Congratulations Frances! Keep up the great work!
Stephanie Barker
So proud of you!!!
Joey King
Frances, I’m so proud of the work you are doing leading your Mighty Shrimps team, raising money to help others who have endured the fight against cancer as you did twelve years ago. Love, Papa Joey
Victory Ludwig
Frances, I have loved reading more about your story!! Thank you for sharing it.
Jane Versaw
So proud of you Frances! You have overcome and conquered this disease and helping others to so the same. Aunt Janie
Ben Smith
Good luck, Frances and well done for such a honorable mission to be a part of.
Michelle McCormick
Great work, Frances!
Robyn Ellis
Thanks for all of your efforts in support of a great cause. R. Ellis
Timothy Trant
Great cause......Best wishes. Tim
Gene Rapisardi
You are an inspiration Frances!!! Keep up the great work!!!!!
Shipherd C Reed
Go Frances
Christopher Ashton
Congrats! I hope your team can raise more than last year.
The Brakey Family
Go, Frances! Hope you reach your goal!
Rya Johnson & family ??
You are an inspiration to many Frances! We are so proud of the work you are doing and have been doing for so many years. Love, The Johnsons
Benny Mastropaolo
Keep up the great work
Karthiga Anandan
Way to go Frances and friends!
Lyndsay Marvin
You’re amazing, Fran!
Melanie Davies
Good luck Frances
CARLYN PIERSOSE PETERSON
Frances I love your heart to serve and help others…you have a great story and I am so proud of your mission to help and find the cure for blood cancers. Very impressive!
Amy Pendergraft
I am praying for the "Mighty Shrimps" and you, Frances!
Carol Bock
Frances~ Thank you for your courage as a survivor, your dedication to awareness, and your support for others who are in the battle for recovery. Ms. Bock
Edith Thakor
Go, go, go! God bless your journey!
Kristen Ryan
My father battled leukemia twice and my mother died of lymphoma, so this obviously hits home for me. I am so thankful for your hard work and dedication to such a worthy cause. I hope you reach your amazing goal!! God bless you!!
Jennifer Wood
Great job Francis
lisa algert
Way to raise awareness, Franny! Sending lots of love to you. xo Lisa Algert
Whitney Brown Jones
Great work Frances!
Laura Satersmoen
You go, girl! You are doing a fantastic thing. I'm proud of you --I have a daughter almost exactly your age!
Robert Abu Shanab
I am very proud of my Grand daughter and what she and the might shrimps are doing
Constantina Petallides-Markou
Beautiful message! Best of luck with your fundraising efforts! God bless you and your family! xoxo Tina Petallides-Markou
Nanci Gunning
Frances I worked with your Dad when you were going through treatment. I remember being amazed at your Mom and Dad’s strength and yours. I am proud to support you in this fight, go girl!
April Bosworth
Thank you for sharing your families story and journey. <3
Juliann Cretsinger
It’s been awhile but I’ll always treasure our times together. So happy that Frances is thriving. Beautiful family! Xxoo
Dr. Hicks
So proud of you for launching this campaign. You may not be at the school anymore but you are a true GALA girl, showing excellence, leadership, wellness, honor, and compassion!
Michelle Valenzuela Wolf
Frances Abu Shanab - You are so inspiring! I have loved watching you reach for your dreams and goals! Keep going and I know you will soar to new heights in this world! All my best, Michelle Valenzuela Wolf
Melinda Richter
Thank you for your extraordinary leadership, Frances!! It shows the strength of your character that you never lost sight of your journey especially when so many people still need our help. Thank you for giving them hope. 💜💙❤️
Full Stack Finance
Full Stack Finance is delighted to match our employees' donations to this great cause! Well done, Frances!
Jul Fasteau
Congratulations, Frances Abu Shanab, on the excellent work you are doing. I have made a donation in memory of my brother-in-law who died of leukemia last December. Your neighbor, Julie Fasteau
Cari Klein
This is for Frances’s and the Shrimps
Anonymous
Go Team.
Andrew Dale
Thank you for helping the patients of today become the survivors of tomorrow
Anonymous
Congratulations
Paul D. Roberts
Keep up the good fight
Jennifer Oliver
I’ve got your Q! Go mighty shrimps!!
Sammy Haghighi
Proud to be part of your team!!
Susan Yang
So proud of you Franny Cakes!
Andrew Chen
Glad to be apart of this amazing journey!!!
David A Valentino
Brilliant work Frances. Hope this helps meet your goal!
Michelle McGill
Go, Mighty Shrimp! Honored to support your efforts.
Janel Wellborn
Go Franny!!!
Nathan Ackeret
I am honored to support this cause. Good luck in your fundraising efforts! Nathan Ackeret and family
Nichole Hoss
Frances you’re such an inspiration! - Nichole
Erin Alley
Congratulations Frances for being so dedicated to fundraising for this worthwhile cause!!! You are an inspiration! We miss you all. Love, Erin Colin and Cayden
Kate Aiken
Thank you for your leadership, Frances! I remember when you were going through treatment and how brave you were!