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 run because I get the opportunity to represent my school and community. Along the way, I hope to inspire many others to run or at least join this cause against blood cancer. Although winning the competition would be a victory, I think the true victory is shown by bringing attention to blood cancers that can affect anyone. Recently, I changed my motivation to run after one of my friends, whose name I'll keep private, was diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma. I am doing this in honor of him and teens affected by blood cancers across the nation. 

However, I am equally proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of a young patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from 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. 

More importantly, this money goes directly towards the foundation. With the help of the foundation, the money we raise goes to supported therapies and research. As a result, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled and tripled! 

All the donations are greatly appreciated by all and they are also tax deductible. The money helps not only with the research, but also helps with providing information and education to the patients, while advocating for federal laws so that patients can better obtain the care, treatment, and resources they need. 

Please visit our website often and bring friends who would also like to donate or just learn about this cause!

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support! 

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the Change You Want to See in the World."

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