Hello, my name is Izzy DellaPello

I want you to imagine hearing the three words, “You have cancer.”

Sadly, this has been a reality for more than 1.3 million Americans who are fighting or are in remission from blood cancer. More than a million Americans are fighting a battle with blood cancers, and every 3 minutes another person unknowingly joins this fight. Almost every high school student wants the chance to partake in something that will change the world; in 2022, I will have that chance.

I am very excited to share with you that I am participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program. Students of the Year is a 7-week philanthropic competition for high school leaders seeking to make an impact in the fight against cancer. 

Cancer touches many families across the world, as it has to my own family and friends. In 2016, a good friend of my family, Bob Cusimano was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Mr. Cusimano was able to receive his first bone marrow transplant after a year and a half of cancer treatments. About three months after his bone marrow transplant, Mr. Cusimano caught Legionnaires pneumonia, a very rare and severe type of pneumonia, which caused the need for a second bone marrow transplant. Mr. Cusimano serves as an inspiration to me every day through his determination to overcome two bone marrow transplants.  

My "Why" 
 
We really are getting close to our goal of a world without blood cancers!
 
All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. They'll not only support LLS research, but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.