Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibilities.
They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that vision of a better world - one without blood cancers.

Hi, I’m Zara Hasan, and I’m fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) because cancer has hit my family hard.  Watching family members I love struggle and in some cases not survive - has been heartbreaking.  It's something I wouldn't wish on anyone.  That's why I want to help make sure no one else has to go through this.

This year, I’m proud to be chosen as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, which means I'm working to raise as much money as possible for LLS’s mission.  My team, Team Hopeful Hearts is a just as fired up about this as I am, and we've set a huge goal: $50,000.  It's ambitious, but I believe we can make it happen - with your help.  

A Little About Me

I am a 17-year-old high school junior at Naperville North High School.  My passions include playing soccer, being involved in student government and hanging out with friends.  In my free time, I love expressing myself through art, whether it’s drawing, painting or working with pastels. I hope to raise awareness and inspire others to join the fight against blood cancers, using creativity and compassion to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Why I'm Doing This

Leukemia and lymphoma are types of blood cancer, and they affect so many people, including kids and teens like me. Every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer in the U.S., and every 9 minutes, someone dies from it. The sad truth is that blood cancers don’t get as much attention or funding as other cancers, which means that there’s less research, fewer new treatments, and not enough help for families who are struggling. The lack of funding means that the fight against blood cancers is slower, and that more lives are being lost without the advancements that could save them.

This is where the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) steps in. They fund life-saving research, support patients and families, and push for better treatments. But they can’t do it without our help. That’s why I’m raising money—I want to make a difference and help them reach their goals.

Here’s how donations make a real impact:

• $100 funds 1 hour of research that could lead to breakthroughs in blood cancer treatments.
• $250 helps fund a lab research team working on new therapies and drug development.
• $500 supports clinical trials that help bring promising new treatments to patients faster.
• $1,000 provides financial assistance to families who are struggling with the costs of cancer care, like hospital bills, transportation, and lodging during treatments.
• $2,500 can help fund a specific research project, advancing our understanding of leukemia and lymphoma and bringing us closer to a cure.
• $5,000 supports an entire research fellowship to train the next generation of scientists working on cutting-edge treatments.
• $10,000 helps fund a clinical trial, bringing a new therapy or drug closer to FDA approval and making it available to patients in need.

The more we raise, the more we can help LLS fund the research that’s needed to save lives and support families facing the financial burden of cancer care. Every dollar makes a difference, and together, we can help move closer to finding a cure. 

Thank you so much for supporting me and Team Hopeful Hearts. It means the world to me, and I know it’ll mean the world to the patients and families you’re helping.
Together, we can make this generation the last to see cancer.
 

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