For us [Cortney and Lucy], cancer hits very close to home. Unfortunately, like so many others, we have had family members who have been affected by several different cancers including Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. These relatives majorly influenced us to join the Student of the Year Program, along with our close friend, and fellow team member, Sofia Irlando. Sofia was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2019 and kicked cancer's butt! Watching Sofia battle cancer showed us the reality that so many people experience every day. When we were nominated to be candidates for this amazing organization, we jumped on the opportunity. This campaign hits so close to our hearts and is why we chose to participate in honor of Sofia. We are so inspired by her strength and courage and hope you will be too! 

As Cortney and Lucy mentioned, I [Sofia] was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at the age of 14. From one day to the next I went from a normal girl entering her freshman year of high school to a seriously ill patient living mainly inside the walls of a hospital. I underwent three rounds of chemotherapy, one of which included a bone marrow transplant. Without the efforts of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and people such as yourself, I may not be here to tell you my story. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that has quite literally given me life. This effort is so personal for me, and I am so honored to be working on this incredible team. I believe that if we help even one person the way that so many have helped me, we have made a difference. 

I have signed up to save lives with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and am working to raise as much as possible over the next 7 weeks. Every dollar raised counts as one vote for my campaign. The candidate(s) whose team tallies the most votes earns the prestigious title of Student or Students of the Year. Will you help me earn that title?
 
As you know, everyone wins when cancer loses. Thanks to your support, my efforts will help fund therapies and treatments that are saving lives. Over the years, support from people like you has been responsible for the blood cancer advancements that have doubled, tripled, and in some cases quadrupled the survival rate for some blood cancers.
 
Many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. And LLS-funded drugs like targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day.
 
We really are getting close to our goal of a world without blood cancers!
 
All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. They'll not only support LLS research, but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.
 
Please visit my website often and tell 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