I am honored to share that I am accepting the challenge to be a part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Students of the Year Campaign to help find a cure for cancer. I have seen many friends and family who have been affected by cancer and I would like to help make a difference.  

I am competing in memory of a family friend, Brian Sladek.  Brian recently passed away from complications of lymphoma, a blood cancer.  He fought cancer for 20 years and inspired so many people along the way- including me.  In the days after his passing, I had the opportunity to help his family prepare photo boards for his funeral and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of so many others.  Sadly, that doesn't change the fact that his wife, Kate, is left to raise their 5-year-old twins without their dad and husband.  Brian and his family are a huge reason that I am raising money to find a cure for blood cancers!

I am honored to participate as a team member for the 2020 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 support my candidate and am 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 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. Raising money will help young kids like Maddy and Ryen, pictured with me below.  

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.