On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the patients they serve, I am honored to be participating in the 2020 Students of the Year Campaign!

It is hard to believe it has been nearly 10 years since I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was finishing kindergarten at age 6.  Treatments were extremely tough and sometimes seemed impossible to get through but I persevered all the way until I was considered cured in June 2017.  My family and friends helped me along the way -- many are on Team Ben helping me with this campaign!  

We have until June 18th to raise funds for this important effort.  The same determination I had during my fight against leukemia, I still have now as a Student of the Year candidate. I believe that the work that LLS has done is one of the main reasons I am alive and well enough to run for such a prestigious award.  I have first-hand experience and know what an impact that LLS can have on cancer patients and their families. That is why my team & I are determined to raise $50,000 to help fund better treatments and the search for the cure to not only leukemia, but all cancers.

A few facts – there is a lot of work to do!

• 10% of all cancers in the U.S. are blood cancers
• 40% of ALL cancer drugs approved by the FDA were first approved to treat blood cancers – LLS research leads to treatment for MANY types of cancer
• Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer
• Leukemia is the #1 most diagnosed form of childhood cancer
• 80% of childhood cancer survivors develop a chronic health condition from their treatment.   We want to find a cure but also less invasive treatments
• LLS has helped advance 34 of the 39 blood cancer treatments approved by the FDA since 2017

Thank you for your generosity and support!   We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

Ben & Team