Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.
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 same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers. I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

In December of 2016, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For the next three years I was in and out of the hospital and having to do constant check ups. If I ran a fever, I would have to go all the way up to the hospital and stay for a week. In 2018 and 2019 I became the Boy of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Since then I have been involved with LLS and at the last grand finale I went to, I had the pleasure of meeting a young boy named Dawson Lankford and his family. I decided to run in honor of him because that minute I realized the other kids my age and younger have to go through cancer and all the terrible things that cancer brings. But it brings me joy and hope because Dawson has been strong through everything, and although he may just be four years old, he has went through  more than I have. Cancer is not anything anyone should have to go through. I dream of where a cancer diagnosis is not a scary thing and where there is an accessible cure to it. And I think we can make it to that place.

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients. One of the medicines I took when I had cancer was researched and developed by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Unfortunately, whether by the radiation or the medicines I have taken I am now completely numb and suffer with severe neuropathy. Although current research is saving many people's lives, we still have a long way to go for no lasting effects. 
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

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