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.

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.

Cancer is an extremely important cause to me. My grandma of thyroid cancer at age 76 in 2007. Although she met me when I was born in 2006, I never knew her. Without cancer, we could have had a great relationship and made amazing memories. I would have loved to help in her fight. Last year, my friend Harlan Sheehan, who led the team last year, invited me to join the club. As a team member last year, I learned so much about fundraising for LLS, and I was honored to be selected to lead the team this year. Our group at Chaminade is extremely unique as no other high school in St. Louis has an all-student fundraising club like we do. As well as raising as much as we can for an amazing cause, we want to inspire our team members and teach them leadership and teamwork skills. We want this to be a tradition year-after-year at the school. As the leader of this club, I now can help others in their fights against cancer and ensure that future students will join the fight until a cure is found. I know that with your help, we can reach our fundraising goal and continue this legacy of charity and helping others.

I hope to raise as much awareness as possible for LLS and its mission. For the 2024 campaign, our total fundraising goal will be $50,000! This year, we have also chosen the pillar of Patient Support, meaning that the money we raise will go directly to help blood cancer victims and their families for medical expenses.

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!

Caden Fernandez

Chaminade College Prep '25

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