Hi! Just thought I'd take a moment to write a short bit about myself for anyone who has stumbled across my page who I don't personally have the pleasure of knowing. 

My name is Elizabeth (Liz) Murphy and I am currently a senior at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, and planning to attend Grace College in Winona Lake, IN post-graduation to major in elementary education! This year because of COVID, things at school have been rough and there have not been many opportunities to enjoy my senior year in the way that I would have hoped. Missing out on football and basketball games, school dances, and in-school clubs has been so discouraging, if I'm being completely transparent. However, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I do have to make a difference and build God's kingdom, even if it has to be virtually. :)

I am heavily involved in volunteer work at my home church, Pathway Community Church. My passion is people, and specifically KIDS! I have always loved being around children, this being why I want to pursue an education degree. I lead a small group of kindergarteners every Sunday in our KidCity ministries program, and I also lead a small group of 7th grade girls every Sunday in our Impulse middle school ministries program at Pathway. My best friend, Evy and I, who was a candidate for LLS Student of the Year last year, co-lead our high school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and each lead a small group bible-study every week! 

I also spend a good chunk of my time off of school at work! I am a dance instructor at a small, faith-based studio called Beacons of Light. I've been an employee there since December of 2019 and I absolutely love what I do. I teach a variety of dance styles to students aged 2.5 to 8 about 3 days a week, as well as create dances for their performances. I have a background in dance from 12 years of extensive classical training at Fort Wayne Ballet where I pretty much grew up. A hip surgery ended my dance training BUT I feel beyond grateul to have the opportunity to use my training to teach future generations of bunheads. :)

In my free time (which is sparse these days!), I read, listen to music, play Just Dance, and spend time with my friends and family. I feel blessed with the support system that I have, and the lovely group of people who make my life sweet.

This year, as a candidate for LLS Student of the Year, I am determined & deeply inspired to meet the needs of those who are battling a blood cancer and the needs of the families who are battling this alongside them. I I feel grateful and humbled that God has given me this opportunity to be involved in something so much bigger than myself. Being involved in this campaign makes me see my own life from an entirely new perspective with fresh eyes. I want to use the blessings I have been graciously given to serve others, and I am not perfect at this by any means, but something that I want to strive for. What I can work for is to be the salt and light in a broken world and spread hope and light in a dark and scary time. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 ^7... for God loves a cheerful giver.

I believe that as a community, we can come together and truly make an impact in changing the realities of blood cancer for so many who are affected. My heart for this campaign is to watch a group of people from around the country channel their generous hearts into one place significantly improve the quality of life of patients and their families as they anxiously await a cure. 

Every single dollar makes a footprint and a difference. Please continue to share my page and encourage your family, friends, and networks to make a donation when the window opens on January 14th! 

Love, Liz!

Here are a few photos of some of my wonderful & servant-hearted team members. These pictures don't feature all of our team members, as some live in other states, and even other countries! But, all members of my team, whether high schoolers or adults, are generous and compassionate people who have a heart to serve those battling a blood cancer today. I truly couldn't do this without their time, energy, and brilliant fundraising ideas.

The first photo was taken at our very first team meeting in June, and the second was taken at a more recent team meeting in September! Follow us on @llsteamrealization on Instagram to meet some of our team members and learn a bit more about them!  

Love, Liz! 

Hi all and WELCOME to my fundraising page! 

I feel beyond blessed to have the opportunity this year to lead a campaign team raising money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Last year, I was on my best friend, Evy Murphy's Student of the Year fundraising team, and her team alone raised over $40,000! For the 2021 campaign, she has nominated me as her "legacy" candidate, so now I have my own fundraising team and am working towards the same lofty goal of $40,000. While it may seem unrealistic, it is obviously possible (as seen in last year's campaign) & I have confidence and faith in the generous hearts of those in our community who are looking for ways to make a difference! 

I urge you to join me in supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by making a donation to my fundraising campaign today. Thanks to your support, my efforts, will help fund the therapies and treatments and help save lives today. With 2020 behind us all, we reflect on the tremendous losses, trials, and hardships that were left in the path of COVID-19. My heart is heavy, but also lifted with hope as I think of the possibilities that lie in this 7-week campaign for change and progress in the name of research and advancement for blood cancers. 

My grandmother battled mantle cell lymphoma for 7 years before finally passing away in 2012. She was a devoted grandmother, a gracious caregiver to her dog, Gibbs, and a loving mother to my dad. She died a premature death and with more research and funding for treatments, she may have still been alive today. Unfortunately, her story is very similar to that of SO MANY OTHERS. Every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. And in children, it is increasingly common as leukemia is the #1 most diagnosed form of childhood cancer. 

LLS's continued advancements, though, over the years, are responsible for the blood cancer survival rate doubling and tripling; in some cases, the survival rate has even quadrupled.

And many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers. They're even being tested in clinical trials for patients with a range of cancers including lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. LLS funded drugs are now being tested for patients with other non-cancerous diseases like Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer and your donations make that statement a reality! 

Every dollar is greatly appreciated and all donations are 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 Web site often and BRING FRIENDS who would also like to donate! Please share this fundraising link on social media, with friends & family, and in your communities. Let us all join the fight against blood cancer today! 

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, I thank you for your support and generous heart to give and serve on this mission. 

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