In tenth-grade biology, our teacher taught us how to recognize cancer cells: they were small, irregular, and crowded. It was hard for me to fathom that a simple pattern of neon green dots on a screen has affected so many people, families, and communities. That day, my teacher, teary-eyed, shared her own story of cancer with us. That's when I learned cancer is something no mother, father, child, or family should go through- and yet 1.9 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer has not only touched the nearest members of my community, it continues to touch thousands more every second.

My story: 

As a member of speech and debate, we are taught to advocate for what we believe in. During the last debate topic, I spent hours researching the effects of fossil fuel extraction on cancer rates. But I felt I, and many others, ended up ignoring the true weight and tragedy of these events and instead used the biggest numbers I could find to "outweigh" the opponent. However, I realize that every number, though, carries a story: a person lost, a mother grieving, a family broken. Empty sentences without an action to back them up are completely meaningless. I firmly believe it is my responsibility, and our responsibility as a community to actually help the people we champion.

That's why I joined LLS. Join me in turning our words into action and making some real change for the people we advocate for. 

What we can accomplish through LLS

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.
They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers.

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

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