We are 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.

Sophia's Story:

I am fundraising in honor of my mother, Karen, and in memory of her best friend Candice. My mother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was just two years old. She was correctly diagnosed early on, however, it took an enormous toll on my entire family. She has been cured and healthy for 13 years now, though many people are not as fortunate as she.

During chemo treatment: Andrew, my brother, (age 4)- left; My mom, Karen- middle; Me (age 2)- right

At the age of 22, her best friend Candy was diagnosed with advanced Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation due to a recurrence. When she was 45 years old, she lost the battle to Lymphoma. This was primarily because of the long term effects of her treatment. Most of her life was spent battling the struggles of chemotherapy and radiation.

Candy was the strongest person I have ever met in my entire life. She fought through each tremendous obstacle that was thrown her way and had a smile on her face the entire time. Her life was a battle and she refused to give up, yet she still could not make it. Statistics usually show the number of people who survived five years after being cured, and they are seen as a success. However often times they do not live too long after that, in addition to spending those years trying to recover and become their old selves. There are far too many stories like Candice's and not enough like my mothers. This is why it is crucial for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to find more effective treatments, but it cannot be done without help.

Margot's Story:

I am fundraising in memory of my cousin, Alan Ostrow, who lost the tormenting battle to Myeloid Leukemia. Alan was diagnosed with the cancer at just 14 years old, and it took over the majority of his teenage years. His family strove to find proper resources, but there was not enough time or information to help. Alan died at only 20 years old. Alan's family will forever be affected by his struggles and the traumatizing events he underwent. With your help and my teams determination, we can make a change. 

We are 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 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.