I'm supporting Xander Johnson - Teenager Extraordinaire, Son of Nick, Honorary Stepson of The Knappster, Incredibly Endearing Personality Prodigy, and Cancer Survivor. Xander has been nominated for 2018 Student of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Utah Chapter) and is determined to run in friendly and healthy competition alongside these other admirable young people to raise money in the fight against blood cancers. 

Why did I agree to be on Xander's fundraising team? 

* When he and his fam are out getting food from the best food trucks and/or coffees from the best coffee places, Xan often suggests they get something for me and bring it to me at Thyme and Place (which I can't really leave during the day).

* When I went to a recent grown-up social, he too was there groovin' to the beat and mingling with the big kids in a completely real and person-to-person way.

* Throughout the ups and downs of my own start up, he's posted and tagged the shop in social media pics like it was #nobigdeal.

* He is the son/honorary step-son of very dear friends who support me as a person and entrepreneur. 

* Because I am truly honored to have been asked to be a part of his team. 

* Because - most important - I believe in the cause, and I am grateful that Xander is alive today and cancer free.

For more more information on Xander and his fundraising motivators, read on... 

Xander's Story - In His Words

I am honored to have been accepted as a candidate in the 2018 Students of the Year program, a seven-week initiative in which select high school students from around the country participate in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am raising critical dollars in honor of local patient heroes, Abbey and Ray, who are currently battling or in remission from a blood cancer. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team who raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student of the Year. My mission is to not only raise the most money but also to bring attention to blood cancers like leukemia, which is the most common form of cancer in children and teens.

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. And many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are helping patients with other cancers and serious diseases. In fact, drugs first approved for blood cancers are now approved to treat patients with stomach cancers, skin cancers, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not only support LLS-funded research but will help provide critical information and support for patients, and support advocacy for laws to ensure patients can access the care and treatments they need.

Please visit our website often and bring friends who would also like to donate!

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere I thank you for your support!

For more information about LLS, please visit www.lls.org