I am so proud to be running in honor of my grandmother, Donna Pearson, who lost her battle to acute myelogeneous leukemia in 2001, just 8 months before I was born. Although we have never talked, hugged, or laughed together, I know her through the endless stories I hear from family and strangers alike. In dedicating my campaign to my grandma, I have felt especially close to her; I am blown away by the amount of people who have shared with me the ways that Donna impacted their lives, and I feel incredibly blessed to get to know her more through these encounters with friends and relatives. Ever since I was little, one of my favorite stories about her life has been her successful career despite opposing odds.

After her divorce at 41, my grandma entered the work force for the first time with virtually no experience, while simultaneously raising 5 children. Despite obstacles her determination never wavered. In one instance, she was fired for speaking her mind when she was asked to do something unethical, but later obtained a new management position, where her natural ability and leadership increased sales by 600% in 10 years. My grandma worked long and hard hours because she was determined to get all five of her children a college education. In 1992 she and a partner opened a staffing firm of their own. The first year, my grandma achieved $2 million in sales with a staff of two: herself and a receptionist. She eventually opened her own office in 1994, under the name Contemporary Staffing Solutions, and at this time brought four of her children into the business, requiring each of them to learn the industry from the ground up. She loved working alongside her children and always reminded her employees that anyone can be successful if they work hard enough. Her numerous awards, such as becoming a 1999 Philadelphia Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and awards commending her community service testified to this ideology. My grandma’s remarkable life ended after an 11-month battle with AML.

My grandma continues to be a paragon of resilience and compassion for me. Because of her ambition and dedication to her family, I am motivated to work as hard as I can to give back to blood cancer patients in her honor.

I want to see a day where the life of no child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or loved one is bound by blood cancer to be continued through memories and stories alone. We love and miss you, Mimom

-Erin

I am running in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Student of the Year campaign because my grandfather, John Schaefer, died from lymphoma when my mom was eighteen.  My grandfather was a brilliant, self-made man who studied medicine at the University of Bologna, a highly presigious Italian university, and through his hard work successfully raised a family with my grandmother, Mary Jane Schaefer.  A surgeon and obstetrician, my grandpa dedicated himself to saving lives and ushering new life into the world.  In 1987, my grandfather was diagnosed with lymphoma.  He continued to serve others by participating in clinical trials to help improve cancer research and treatment.  At Sloan Kettering, my grandpa was the eleventh person ever to receive a bone marrow transplant.  He lost his battle during the surgery in 1988, three weeks before my mom left for college.  With his participation, bone marrow transplants are now one of the most successful blood cancer treatments.  

Although I never got to meet my grandfather, I am humbled by his fortitude and his unconditional love for his family, especially for my mother.  My mom has told me many times, "he would have adored you."  This campaign is my way of honoring him for all of his service to his patients, his friends, and most of all, his family.  I know he is watching over me throughout my campaign and every day.  I miss you, Grandpa, and I hope you are proud of me for trying to emulate your incredible resilience as Erin and I strive to raise over $75,000 for cancer research, treatment, and for the improved quality of life of cancer patients.  

We need YOU to help us reach our ambitious goal, so please contribute today and be the person who helped eradicate blood cancer.

-Alexandra

We are co-candidates competing in the 2019 Students of the Year Program, a seven-week initiative in which select high school students compete in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Every dollar we raise goes directly to support LLS's mission of accessing cures for blood cancers, and providing patient advocacy.

LLS is the largest funder of cutting-edge medicine to advance cures, investing more than $1.2 billion in research. LLS paves the way for continued success in breakthroughs such as imunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine. Along with saving lives, LLS helps patients and families navigate their journies through financial aid, travel support, information specialists, and support groups. 

As co-candidates for this amazing opportunity to impact the lives of blood cancer patients, our goal is not only to raise the most money, but to bring attention to blood cancers in memory of our grandparents. 

We greatly appreciate your consideration and support! Your tax-deductable donation would be immeasurably appreciated and will prevent someone from losing a child, sibling, parent or loved one.  

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

Hi, our names are Erin Pearson and Alexandra Williamson and we are both juniors at Archmere Academy, who are honored to be co-candidates for the 2019 Students of the Year Campaign! While raising money for LLS we remind ourselves that blood is thicker than water; family over everything. We were inspired to join together and get involved in this campaign because we both have a grandparent who lost his or her battle to blood cancer before we were born. Each dollar we raise is our opportunity to save lives and in turn honor two lives that were lost far too early. We are extremely excited to take part in this amazing campaign, and hope you will join us.

A little bit about us... 

Alexandra
Hi, I’m Alexandra, and I am honored to be fundraising in memory of my grandfather, John Schaefer, with Erin this year!  I used to dance competitively at Kicks Academy of Dance, and now I am on the Archmere cheerleading team, for which I will be a co-captain my senior year.  I’m very serious about my schoolwork, but outside of school I love spending time with friends and family, making art, and experiencing new cultures through traveling.  I love giving back, and I am also very competitive, so I'm excited to participate in this campaign!

Erin
I am 17 years old, and from West Chester, Pennsylvania. I grew up competing in gymnastics meets and dance competitions, and I continue to love dancing at my studio. Along with dancing, I love spending summers at Stone Harbor, going to concerts, giving back to my community, and spending time with my friends and family. I am the middle child between two brothers, and I have a cavapoo named Finnegan.