Hello! Thank you so much for visiting my fundraising page. As we embark on this seven-week journey, I want to share a little bit more about myself and why I decided to become involved with LLS and the 2019 Student of the Year campaign. 

I grew up in sunny San Diego, California, where I lived for eight years before moving to the Bay Area in 2009. Ever since, I have found a secure place in my community, where I have formed innumerable lifelong friendships and found my deep passion for nature and the environment by exploring Marin's natural beauty. 

I am now halfway through my senior year at Redwood High School - what a crazy time! For the past four years of high school, I have been involved with my school's Leadership program, where I currently serve as senior class Vice President and have previously served as the freshman class Secretary. Through the Leadership class, I have hosted many school rallies and helped planned dances among other school-wide events. I am also involved in the Advanced Journalism class at my high school, where I currently double as Head Copy Editor and reporter. I have been involved with Journalism since my sophomore year, and the class has truly expanded my niche for writing. 

Outside of school, I dance at Roco Dance for nearly 12 hours every week. I take three different types of dance classes - contemporary, ballet, and jazz - and dance is one of the most important parts of my identity. I have been dancing since I was two years old, and at the beginning of high school, I became involved in a Youth Contemporary Dance Company, named Body Language. Through the Youth Company, I have been able to travel around California, performing at numerous dance festivals and other events. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of such an artistic and supportive community!

I decided to get involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when two girls from my Leadership class completed their fundraising campaign last year, and I was deeply inspired by their ability to raise thousands of dollars for a remarkable and important cause. Additionally, not only is this campaign a great way to support LLS and their life-saving work, but it's a great leadership opportunity for me, and I am so grateful to lead my team of awesome individuals! 

Lastly, I am fundraising in honor and memory of Tanya Greenberg, my mother's sister, who died of a brain tumor early on in her life. Becoming apart of this campaign has given me the ability to connect with her memory, and has inspired me to work towards an even larger goal than I first envisioned - $30,000!

Thank you so much for your help and generosity in supporting my campaign. I hope we can make a difference in the fight to cure blood cancer together!

I am honored to participate in the 2019 Students of the Year program, a seven-week initiative 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 patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. Each dollar is a vote. 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.

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.