Students of the Year Birmingham

Hannah O'Kelley | Hannah O'Kelley

Hannah's Students of the Year Fundraiser

Jun 10, 2021

I am honored to participate as a team member for the 2021 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 motivated to take part in this program and raise money for LLS because, like many others, I have been directly impacted by the effects of cancer. My father passed away from kidney cancer in 2015 when I was only a 5th grader. I am now a Junior at Hewitt-Trussville High School and continuing to make him proud by maintaining good grades in my advanced and AP classes,  participating in my school's Service Association, and playing our favorite sport, soccer, with my school's varsity team and club team at Hoover-Vestavia Soccer Club. The fact that blood cancer research can be used to help other cancers as well makes this cause even more special to me. I hope that through this campaign, I can help make a difference for people now and forever. 

I am raising critical dollars in honor of a young patient hero who is in remission from a blood cancer. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student of the Year. Our 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.

Together we can change 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! A special thank you to those who have already made personal donations as well as these businesses who have contributed support:

Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings, LLP

Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C.

Limbaugh Toyota

Trussville United Soccer Club

Webster Henry

Ferus Artisan Ales 

Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers

Inline Electric Supply Company, Inc.

Ridgeline Roofing and Restoration

Vestavia Hills Soccer Club

Smith and Associates Enterprise-Printing Services

Half Shell Oyster House

Battle Republic

Munoz Mexican Grill

Metro Diner

Nelms Pharmacy

Charm Char Charcuterie Board

Jazzercise- Trussville

Sky Bear Confections

Amari Curb Market

Lane Weichman Photography

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

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

Sincerely,

Hannah

 

50 Comments

  • Lindsay Rutland

    I couldn't be prouder to donate to your fundraiser team!

  • Deborah Townsend

    I love this precious, amazing young lady!

  • Deborah Chapman

    Done

  • Emily Phillips

    Hannah, I don’t know you but your aunt Rebecca is a good friend of mine. I greatly appreciate your effort in raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I’m a survivor of Lymphoma. Many thanks from the bottom of my heart. You are making a difference in many people’s lives. Sincerely, Emily Phillips

  • Shawn Williams

    Keep up the GREAT work Hannah! You truly are making an IMPACT out there!

  • Craig and Leslie Armstrong and family

    You are making a difference! Keep it up Hannah!

  • Melinda and Chris Golden

    In memory of Kevin O’Kelley In honor of James Pesseackey

  • Paul and Melissa Sutton

    My sister is currently battling lymphoma. Thank you, Hannah, for all you are doing to help fight this cancer!

  • Patty and Ken Sransky

    In honor of your Dad, Kevin O’Kelley, and your Mom Sarah. They have raised three amazing daughters. I know you are making them both so proud.

  • Lisa Randall

    For everyone out there fighting this fight, this contribution is in your honor including my husband who is fighting stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma. #ftcs

  • Catherine Argo

    Love you Hannah!

  • Tim OKelley

    Thank you for your work to end cancer Hannah! You are an amazing young girl!

  • Julie Watters

    Hannah- I went to school with your dad. At your age, he was a smart, witty and kind person. If he were your classmate, I have no doubt he would be impressed by you and support your endeavors. I hope you feel his pride beaming for you today.

  • Lauren Henson

    You amaze me everyday! I know you’re going to make a huge difference in this life. Keep up the great work, Hannah!

  • Kristin Yeager

    We are so proud of you beautiful girl. Your dad would be too.

  • Ron and Liz Burton

    Praying for a cure.

  • April Rickles

    #ftcs

  • John Tillis

    Thank you Hannah for all your work with this campaign

  • The Howells

    Love you big.

  • Stephanie Clark

    Hannah O’Kelley

  • Patrick and Karen Campbell Family

    It is awesome to see high school students working to support great causes. I have the joy of announcing Hannah's name and those of her fellow Hewitt-Trussville High School soccer teammates as the soccer public address announcer. It is always special to learn something more behind the names. The Campbell family was directly impacted by cancer this school year. Your story inspires me to support you. God bless you, your family and the memory of your father. Patrick Campbell

  • Michael and Olivia Putman

    From Michael and Olivia Putman. Congrats of SOY nomination! You'll do great

  • Sue, Ben, Kaba, Tallulah and Kiyka

    Thank you, Hannah! LLS is a great organization.

  • Jennifer Johnson

    So proud of you Hannah. #ftcs My grandfather is a Leukemia Survivor.

  • Kate Hegge

    Hannah, good luck with the fundraising! I went to Shades Valley RLC with your dad. This is such an amazing tribute!

  • Andy Rickles

    So proud of you, Hannah! #ftcs

  • Laura T

    I wish I could give more. You are such an awesome young lady Hannah.

  • Kristie Ford

    Thank you Hannah! For sharing your story and supporting those who are still writing theirs! My grandma fought leukemia for as long as I can remember. But she was always so positive, strong, and such a warm, caring person. Thank you again for being a confident, kind young woman I know your parents are so proud of #ftcs

  • Kirstin

    So proud of you Hannah! I know your dad is celebrating you and the amazing young woman you are as her watches over you.

  • Don and Glenda Mauldin

    In honor of Maya Shah

  • The Baker Family

    Thank you for doing this for all the families whose lives have been impacted by Cancer!

  • Kelly Schafer

    Hannah, You amaze me! It’s inspiring to witness all the ways you are using your gifts and making life beautiful! I lost my first best friend to leukemia at age 7, and know others going through it now...this is an extremely meaningful cause to so many of us so thank you for harnessing the power of your own personal journey to inspire others and make a positive difference!! Best wishes always. Love, Kelly

  • Michael O'Kelley

    Kevin O’Kelley

  • Jennifer, Allen and Savannah Willsp

    Proud of you Hannah

  • Elizabeth Wilson

    So proud of you, Hannah!

  • Kimberly Beck

    Great job, Hannah!

  • Wayne & Kathy George

    Hannah you are a remarkable young lady! Thank you for making a difference!

  • Mark and Suzy Usry

    So proud of you Hannah! Love, Mark, Suzy, Rex, & Keller Usry

  • Mike Hathorne

    Thanks Hannah for reaching out to our Rotary Club. Your grandfather is a wonderful Rotarian and I'm sure the same as a grandfather. You're special as well to remember your father who died from cancer. He IS proud of you !!!

  • Will & Sharee Green

    It takes such courage to be vulnerable with your story and look at how it can make a greater impact. Great fundraiser for such a worthy cause.

  • Sima Sanghvi

    I want to support life-saving therapies to treat cancer, like the one that saved my niece. Thank you LLS for all you do.

  • Patterson Family

    So proud of you! Love, the Patterson family

  • the Magee family

    Go get ‘em Hannah!

  • Joan Carroll

    Love you and your heart, Hannah. ❤️

  • Rachel Fry

    Hannah, You are truly a shining light, congratulations on being chosen as a "student of the year." Not surprised at all. Know that your mom and dad are both so proud of you!

  • Debbie Cates

    Hannah I’m so proud of you and hope your goal is met!

  • Dr. Christy Savage-Great Smiles Orthodontics

    Hannah and her family have been patients in our office for years and we were so happy to contribute to such a worthy cause. Hannah has definitely inspired all of us here at Great Smiles Orthodontics! We are proud of you Hannah!

  • Josh Freund

    In honor of Josh Freund for his amazing mustache.

  • Jennifer & Lee Neal

    Hannah - thanks for being a great role model for others to be inspired to take action as well.

  • Joe Smith

    Best Wishes to Hannah O'Kelley!

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