HI! I am Ovi Logesh, a junior at West Ranch High School. I am pleased to inform you that I have been nominated as a candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2019 Student of the Year Program, a seven week initiative in which high school students participate in a fundraising competition to support LLS’s mission to cure blood cancers and to improve the quality of life for the patients and their families. I am aware of the many hurdles friends and families face when their loved ones are faced with cancer, which is why my partner, Rush Pande, and I have created the team Clawing out Cancer to help this cause.

I humbly ask you to join our fight by donating to us. Our goal is to raise $15,000, and all donations will go towards LLS Research. By raising this money, we are helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society find clinical trials for cancer patients.

The biggest inspiration for my campaign is my uncle. This past summer, my uncle passed away after battling throat cancer. This was the first time my family had been affected by cancer, so my uncle’s death took a toll on my family. Seeing the anger and sadness my relatives had felt inspired me to take an action, any action, to support the fight against cancer. Another reason I decided to do this campaign was because of my school. Early this year, Maya Evans, a strong girl who was a well known member of our Wildcat family, passed away after battling with leukemia. Her death had shaken up our school and our surrounding community. These two people are the main reasons why as to I have taken the challenge of pursuing this campaign.

Seven weeks is the time frame we have to raise as much money we can. Although it sounds long, it is going to be a challenge to raise $15,000 in that amount of time. But with your help, I believe we can reach this. Help us Claw out Cancer!

You can join our team by one of the following ways:

• Become a Team Member! Help us spread the word about our campaign. Conduct fundraising events, send emails, call potential sponsors, etc. Let your creativity shine through!

• Donate to our website (you’re on it!)

• Sponsor us at the Grand Finale and in exchange receive an ad for your business in our Finale pamphlet (please contact me for more information if interested)

• Donate an auction item, which will be sold at the Finale

I would like to thank you in advance for supporting this campaign. By doing so, you are helping the lives of many individuals battling cancer, and are helping professionals to find a cure.

Sincerely,

Oviya Loges

I am honored to participate in the 2019 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 proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of a young patient hero who is currently battling or 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(s) 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.

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, thank you for your support!

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