Dear Friends and Family,

I need your help with something very close to my heart, but before I get into the details, I would like to share a little bit about why this means so much to me—and why I believe it will to you too.

I was recently nominated as a candidate for Student of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). At first, I wasn’t sure what this meant, then I met with my LLS campaign manager, Lindsey, who told me all about LLS and what they do to help with blood cancers, and I wanted to help. 

Still, I didn’t fully understand until a very close friend of mine, Steve, who is also a mentor to me, told me about how different blood cancers affect people. This conversation was very personal to Steve, because his best friend and right-hand man, his brother, Chris, had leukemia. Steve shared that he was out of town talking with a football recruiting coach when his father called and told him that his little brother had died. Steve was to arrive back home the next day, but that was too late, his little brother and best friend was gone, and he never had the chance to say goodbye. Chris was only eleven. Hearing Steve’s story brought tears to my eyes. I almost lost my brother in a car accident. He has always been my best bud, and I couldn’t imagine what losing him would be like. 

The feeling that Steve’s story gave me was like no other. It is everyone’s biggest fear to lose somebody they love. When you put your feet in someone else’s shoes, you quickly realize the effect it has on a family—forever. While today my brother is mostly healed, Steve misses Chris every day and would do anything to have him back. I want to do all I can to help others by putting a stop to blood cancers. So, as I learned more about the LLS Student of the Year fundraiser—I didn't hesitate. 

LLS has funded more than $1.2 billion into research. In the past decade over 40% of cancer treatments and drugs have come from LLS funded research, which is also going to those affected by other cancers and diseases, such as breast and liver cancers, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease. My team, ‘Let’s Crush This’ has set a goal to raise $35,000 during the 7 weeks running from January 8th to February 28th. This is where we need your help. Every dollar counts! So, any donation, large or small, is your pledge to help us achieve the goal toward a world without blood cancers.

Cancer can affect any of us, and we have all been touched in somes way by someone with cancer. Imagine a world where no one else has to hear the words, "You have Lymphoma. You have Lekemia. You have caner." Please help us Crush cancer by making a donation today.

Thank you so much for your consideration and generosity.

Sincerely,

Liam Donohoe