Dear Family and Friends,                                                                                               

My name is Taylan Takac, I’m 14 years old and attend Chaminade High School. First and foremost, I hope you and your family are healthy and doing well during these challenging times. While the pandemic has created many personal and professional obstacles, there are still those in need of our help. I believe more than ever that it is important to dedicate time, energy, and funding to critical research.

In April of 2011, my sister’s best friend Camille Jacobellis’ father, Al Jacobellis, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Al went through many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and even a stem cell transplant. And in late 2011 he was proclaimed cancer free, however Al developed quite a few serious side effects connected to his treatment. For nearly five years he fought resiliently against these problems, each and every day for Camille’s entire family. In March of 2016 the side effects became too much and Al lost his battle. To see Camille and her family whom I love so greatly go through this tremendous loss was tragic. Camille was only fourteen years old when her life was eternally changed. To think of the magnitude of this loss is too hard to understand, yet this is a reality for several families.

Because of the tremendous loss of Al in our community, but also the Jacobellis’ strength in the face of hardship is why I am running to be the 2021 Student of the Year in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Students of the year is a 7 week long fundraising competition amongst high school students to raise the most money in benefit of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My goal is to raise $50,000 between January 14th and March 5^th. I will be carrying on the incredible legacy that Camille began in 2018 as Al’s Angels. While I know this is a big goal your encouragement, support, and help would be significantly valued and appreciated as it could aid research to end the control that blood cancer has on lives.

LLS is at the forefront of the battle to cure cancer. Compared to other blood cancer nonprofits, LLS is the biggest funder of cutting-edge research to further cures. They have spent more than $1.2 billion in research. They are leaders in developing advances in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine. This research protects and saves lives. These advanced new treatments initially uncovered through blood cancer research are now being tested in clinical trials for other cancers.

I am personally devoted to this cause as one of  my role model’s father succumbed after a courageous and brave battle with Leukemia.  I am promising my personal effort and commitment to this cause to give a fighting chance for others to live successful lives. I would like to make sure that no one else has to lose their father, brother, son, daughter, sister, mom, friend, or loved one to this horrible illness.

 I’m requesting your direct support in the way of a financial donation. You can donate directly to my online fundraising page

https://events.lls.org/calso/lasoy21/ttakac

You can also write a check made out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with my name in the memo. You can send this check to 4726 San Sebastian Drive Woodland Hills, CA, 91364.  Every donation makes a difference and I genuinely appreciate you involving LLS in your donation planning for 2021.  I will follow-up this letter with another interaction to obtain your support.

Help me raise $50,000 in honor of Al Jacobellis!

Thank you so much for having a role in finding the cure.

Sincerely,

Tay