Thank you to everyone who has donated to my campaign so far!! Rebels for a Cure has recieved so much support over the past three weeks, and it means so much to me and all of the blood cancer patients and families LLS supports. Thanks again! 
 

♥️ Mae

I am Mae's mom.  In Mae's second post, she mentioned her Aunt Kim as one of the inspirations for her campaign.  Since Mae never got to meet Kim, I thought I would tell you a bit about her.

KIm was the oldest of four daughters and had the classic first-born traits - high-achieving, reliable, cautious, and bossy.  She excelled in school and loved learning.  She was hyper-competitive at board games.

My sister Kim was 24 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.  Cancer didn't care that Kim had just gotten her first job as an accountant.  Cancer didn't care that she had just bought her first car. Cancer didn't care that Kim was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her.  Cancer never cares; it can strike anyone at any time.

Instead of falling apart, Kim got to work.  One of the first things she did was to go to a medical school library to research her type of leukemia. She wanted to be fully armed with information when she met with the doctors so she could understand what was happening.  She would not be a passive victim; she would be a partner in her treatment.  

Kim was tough.  She endured experimental treatments that made her sick to her stomach and made her hair fall out.  Although the first time her hair fell out was a shock, through the years, it became a source of humor and even some fun -- she let me give her a mohawk!  Her attitude helped us to adapt and cope.

Kim was diligent.  During periods of treatment, she would go out on disability.  But as soon as she was able, she went back to work.  Her co-workers were always so glad to have her back.  When her health insurance denied coverage of an experimental treatment, senior officials at her company changed the policy so that it would be covered.  

Kim was selfless.  She endured experimental treatments, not just to prolong her own life, but because she knew they may help others in the future.  She spent time with other cancer patients to encourage and support them.

But Kim's most prominent characteristic was her faith in God.  Her trust in God's promises sustained her during the good times and the bad.  

Although it makes me sad that Kim did not live to see my kids, I know she would be so proud of Mae and so grateful for all of the work LLS does.

Thank you so much for clicking on my website link and getting to know more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! You may be wondering why I'm participating in this campaign. 

My main reasons for signing on to the Students of the Year (SOY) campaign is in memory of my aunt Kim (see next post), who died from blood cancer before I was born and in honor of my friend Mackenzie, who is a two time cancer survivor. Mackenzie is actually the one who nominated me as a candidate for SOY and the creator of the Rebels for a Cure team 2 years ago. One day during winter tennis, I asked about an Instagram post that was on her page related to LLS. She told me a little about it and I was immediately interested in what it was and how she was involved. In July, we continued the conversation and I was eager to start helping. LLS helped Mackenzie's family during her treatments, so her SOY campaign was very personal for her. This year, I want to continue the team's legacy by raising as much money as possible for a great cause.  

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my fundraising page!

Join me in supporting the fight against blood cancer by donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

By donating to LLS, you:

-Invest in groundbreaking research. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested $1.3 billion in cutting-edge cancer research worldwide. 

-Provide education and support to patients. In 2017, LLS provided $72.97M in co-pay assistance to 31,026 patients.

-Bring us closer to our goal to end blood cancer. In the last 18 months, the FDA approved 25 blood cancer treatments – 20 of them LLS-funded. This is remarkable progress considering that no more than 5 treatments had been approved in any one year prior to 2017.

Beating cancer is in our blood!

Every facet of LLS’s mission – research, education and support, and policy and advocacy – work in harmony to put blood cancer patients and their families first. LLS has helped millions impacted by cancer by funding breakthrough blood cancer research to advance lifesaving treatments and cures that are now helping patients with other cancers and diseases. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

Please visit my website as often as you can and share it with everyone you know who would also like to join us in the fight against cancer. Together, we have the power, the passion, and the resolve to achieve a world without blood cancer. All donations are tax-deductible.

On behalf of cancer patients and their families everywhere, I sincerely thank you for your support!

For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org