How I got Involved

My cousin, Colin Burda, reached out to me to be a part of his team after he was nominated to be a Student of the Year for Northeast Indiana. Eight months ago, one of Colin's close friends, Bryson Leffers, was diagnosed with Stage 3 T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. This news was not only shocking, but incredibly heartbreaking for all his friends and family. Bryson is an all-state cross country runner, a good student, and absolutely hilarious to be around. His battle continues today.

Bryson and Colin are pictured below.

Why I Feel Passionate about this Project

I have witnessed the pain of my friends and family battling cancer, as well as my friends and family watching their loved ones battle cancer, and it is truly heartbreaking. Along with having a long history of cancer amongst my family members who have passed away, my grandfather is currently battling prostate cancer, and my grandmother fought through her breast cancer. The heartache and stress cancer brings families and patients is something no one should have to endure. Cancer is relentless, therefore we must be as well in our battle to put an end to it. 

I have signed up to save lives with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and am working to raise as much as possible over the next 7 weeks. Every dollar raised counts as one vote for my campaign. The candidate(s) whose team tallies the most votes earns the prestigious title of Student or Students of the Year. Will you help me earn that title?
 
As you know, everyone wins when cancer loses. Thanks to your support, my efforts will help fund therapies and treatments that are saving lives. Over the years, support from people like you has been responsible for the blood cancer advancements that have doubled, tripled, and in some cases quadrupled the survival rate for some blood cancers.
 
Many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. And LLS-funded drugs like targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day.
 
We really are getting close to our goal of a world without blood cancers!
 
All donations are greatly appreciated and 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 website often and tell 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