Dear Friends and Family, 

I had the privilege of being nominated as a candidate, alongside my co-candidates Colton Fernandez and Grace Ha, for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Gold Coast Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. Student Visionaries of the Year is a seven-week leadership development program that runs from January 23 to March 14, 2025 to raise money and help support the LLS mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.    

I have created a team of committed friends and family to partner with me on this journey. Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $50,000 and have chosen research as the LLS mission pillar to represent throughout our campaign.  

Money raised helps LLS, the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers, advance initiatives like funding cutting-edge research and treatments. LLS has invested more than $1.5 billion in cancer research since 1949, leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine that are improving and saving patients’ lives.

I wanted to volunteer for this incredible program after participating in a neurocritical care lab focusing on the effects of cardiac arrest on the secretion of amyloid beta and other biological compounds at UC Irvine over the summer. The Akbari Lab was at the forefront of improving neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. At this lab, I realized the importance of medical research funding in improving human healthcare in the future. My campaign will provide support to the critical work of LLS with the hope that one day, no one will have to suffer or lose a friend or loved one to a disease that can be defeated through research and the unwavering support of the public. I know that with your help, I can reach my goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers.  

I thank you in advance for partnering with a campaign so close to my heart, and please remember, every bit counts. All donations are tax deductible.

I appreciate your support!

For a cure, 

Owen Hess

Blood Health Heroes

To make your donation go further—check if your company matches charitable gifts. https://www.lls.org/ways-help/employee-matching-gifts