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.

I am running in this campaign for a couple of reasons. For starters, I was a part of a team last year and was inspired to join by having the chance to see the incredible accomplishments the campaign brings. In addition, I felt called to do more for my community and help cancer patients. The final and most important reason to me, is the opportunity to run in memory of Tyler Frenzel, a family friend who passed away in 2004.  Although I was unfortunately never able to meet Tyler, I was old enough to understand what happened and experience the mix of emotions with the rest of our community.  The memories of this tragedy has sparked passion in me to support people who are experiencing what Tyler went through.  With the generous help of Tyler's mom, I have added Tyler's heroic story...

Sick children often inspire others. Tyler Frenzel was no different. On December 20, 2002, when Tyler was 7 ½ years old, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. A treatment protocol began immediately – 7 months of intense chemotherapy, followed by three years of maintenance chemotherapy. The promising news was a 90% survival rate for patients with Tyler’s type of Leukemia.Tyler’s amazing acceptance of his plight set the tone for how his family would deal with his illness. Tyler’s motto became:

NO LIMITS – FIGHT HARD – NEVER GIVE UP

    Tyler lived this motto through the many procedures, medicines and side effects that no child should ever have to endure. Tyler initially responded well to treatment, achieving remission within the first month, and he even returned to the baseball diamond and soccer fields throughout his illness. 
    Thirteen months after the initial diagnosis, however, the cancer returned. Tyler endured more chemo, full body radiation, a bone marrow transplant, and many days in the hospital. A few weeks after surpassing the critical 100 days post-transplant mark, however, Tyler relapsed again. Tyler decided to try an experimental treatment, knowing that it may not save him, but it would provide valuable information to help save other children. After a month, Tyler’s condition did not improve and he died six weeks later on Dec. 11, 2004, after a courageous two-year battle. 
    Tyler had an incredible spirit of giving back to others. When people would donate money to him, Tyler would turn around and give it to an organization in need. One of those organizations was The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). This organization relies on donations to support patients and to fund research.
    Tyler had the wisdom to understand that it was not about him. Through your support of this campaign, together we can help to make Tyler’s dream come true – to eradicate Leukemia and blood cancers forever.
 

Through your generous support, together we can change the future of blood cancers and eradicate this horrible disease!  Help me honor Tyler's wishes and legacy through this campaign! Thank you so much for your consideration and your time!

Here is a link to show a real example of how your money is making a tremendous difference and saving lives! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6SzI2ZfPd4

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 I thank you for your support!

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