As juniors at Aquinas High School, Hannah, Caroline, and Carlisle, have been nominated to run as candidates in the 2022 Students of the Year campaign in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Students of the Year is a leadership development program for high school students who compete in a 7-week fundraising campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for blood cancers. Together with our team, Fighting Irish Fighting Cancer 3.0, we plan to raise $100,000 in the 7 weeks starting on January 27th. We are all passionate about the cause as all our lives have been affected by cancer.

Hannah Byrdy’s Cause: Cancer is very prevalent today. I have had two grandparents diagnosed with cancer. One of my grandmothers was diagnosed with breast cancer and the other with throat cancer. Although I did not witness their fights with cancer, I saw how it impacted their lives and our families.  For the past two years, the Fighting Irish Fighting Cancer teams have won the title of Students of the Year by raising the most funds in the CSRA for LLS.  This year I have been given the chance to be a team leader and continue the tradition of the Fighting Irish teams.  I believe that no one should have to deal with the struggles of cancer and everyone can make an impact in supporting the generation that will bring an end to cancer.

Caroline Jackson’s Cause: Last year my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My grandmother and I are extremely close, so when I found out she had cancer, I was completely devastated. I knew she was tough, but my hope that she would beat pancreatic cancer was slim. I felt helpless in her fight against such aggressive cancer, but I tried everything I could including sending cards to keep her hopes up and praying for her.  I know what it feels like to receive this devastating news, and I want to find a way to beat cancer, so no one has to go through the same thing.  Although LLS is specifically known for its fight against blood cancers, many blood cancer treatments are used to treat other types of cancer and diseases. This is why LLS stands out. I want to help end all the pain and suffering for the patients themselves as well as their loved ones in their battle against this awful disease.

Carlisle Overstreet’s Cause: When I was three, I lost my grandmother to breast cancer which she had battled on and off her whole life. From then on cancer had been a word in our family that has had massive meaning and repercussions. My other grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the fall of 2020 and fortunately beat it; however, she has been re-diagnosed this past fall. To have to receive the news that a loved one has cancer is devastating and to receive the news multiple times is why I want to help make a difference. LLS has allowed me to help fundraise and spread awareness about cancer and cancer research. By running in the Students of the Year Campaign, I am helping those who are battling this deadly disease because I want to help make an impact on the cancer research community.