I am honored to participate in the 2019 Students of the Year program, a seven-week initiative from January 31 to March 23, in which select high school students from around the country participate in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of a young Atlanta patient hero who is currently in remission from a blood cancer and in memory of my Aunt Julie.  The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) 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.

As many of you know, my connection to Leukemia started before I was born.  In 1995, my Aunt Julie Brantley Grundhoefer lost her battle to Leukemia.  She was only 29. Our team name, MAD Lion is an acronym for My Aunt Died..Leukemia is on Notice.

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   

Lawson Doherty                                                                              

21ldoherty@woodward.edu     

Son of Caroline & Frank Doherty                                                     

                                                                                                           .

Julie Brantley Grundhoefer   1965-1995