Hi!

I am honored to have been nominated as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year program. As a candidate, I have been tasked to create and lead a team to fundraise over a seven-week campaign towards cancer research. I am thrilled to be taking part in this wonderful opportunity to strive towards a cure for this horrible disease by leading my team, Psych Cancer Out.

Almost 12 years ago, when I was 5 years old, I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. I spent ten months in treatment, receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. In addition to the toll that the treatment takes on the entire body, it left me with hearing and speech challenges which will be with me for the remainder of my life.  Ever since then, cancer has been a part of my life, and I have been deeply touched by the stories of others who have been impacted and have suffered from this disease.  It has driven me to want to help in the search for a cure so others do not have to suffer as I did.

You may ask, why LLS? Although I did not have a blood cancer, the issue of blood cancer is deeply important to me considering that Leukemia is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in children. Also, it is a little-known fact that nearly half of all cancer treatments began as blood cancer treatments because the blood is more easily accessible than solid tumors. By donating to LLS you are not only donating to help find a cure for blood cancer, but all cancers.

My team’s campaign launches on January 16th and will last seven weeks, leading up to the Grand Finale on March 6th. My team’s goal is to raise $50,000! Over the seven-week campaign, my team will be hard at work to raise as much money as we can to aid in the search for a cure, but we cannot do it alone! 

We need your help to make this all possible. I hope you will help me in my goal!  There are many things you can do to get us one step closer to a cure:

- You can donate to this fundraising page!

- You can write a check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma foundation and write my team name, Psych Cancer Out, in the memo line. Then return it to 3525 Giddings Rand Road, Altadena, CA 91001. 

- You can donate a silent auction item for the Grand Finale Gala on March 6th

- You can consider a corporate sponsorship. Please reach out to me if you are interested.

- You can join our team! By joining Psych Cancer Out, you will receive your own fundraising page and can help us do our part in getting one step closer to a cure.

All donations are tax deductible and any amount given is appreciated. This is your opportunity in helping the world get one step closer to curing cancer. 

Thank you in advance for all the support and helping me make a difference in the world. This issue is very close to my heart and I look forward in doing my part to help combat cancer. If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Taylor Thorell

taylor.thorell@yahoo.com

(626) 676-6366

2020 Student of the Year Candidate