I am very excited to be nominated and running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2020 Student of the Year fundraising campaign.                                                                                                                                        

In honor of my Aunt Barb, I am dedicated to make a difference in the fight against blood cancer.  My Aunt Barb had no family history of cancer.  She had no health problems.  She did everything she wanted, when she wanted and how she wanted.  She loved life.  Loved her family.  Loved spending time with her family, especially her grandson.  She loved all her home projects – landscaping, painting, and decorating – and she loved traveling and going to concerts.

All of that vibrancy and love of life was snatched away when my Aunt Barb was diagnosed unexpectedly with anaplastic large cell lymphoma in Dec 2017.  She fought hard against the cancer and the flu and ultimately lost her battle with cancer.

I am fighting for this cause so that eventually no other family suffers the loss we suffered.  The many years that Aunt Barb should have had with her family can never be replaced. 

Aunt Barb also had a passion for helping others.  She never hesitated when someone was in need. 

Together, we can take up the cause and make a difference and help families to come!  Just like Aunt Barb would do, if she were here to help. 

The student of the year campaign is a competition among high school students all across the country to see who can raise the most money to help LLS with the fight against blood cancers. All of the money goes towards research to find the cure and to better the livelihood of the patients. 

When supporting our team, Barb's Brigade, every dollar is one step closer to finding a cure.