Each year the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) launches a Student of the Year (SOY) fundraising campaign. This year, we, Brian Blood and Connor Covel, are joining the fight to end blood cancers around the world by participating in this campaign.  Today is the first day of our campaign, and we are asking for your support in this endeavor, as we try to assist LLS in its efforts to fight blood cancers and help patients and their families.

We learned about the SOY campaign through our participation in the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program at our high school, Shawnee Mission North High School.  A North alumnus, Steve Sears, is a two-time Lymphoma survivor.  Steve is a big supporter of the IB program at North.  As we learned more about LLS and the SOY campaign, we saw an opportunity to make a lasting contribution in the larger fight against cancer.  As it turns out, the money invested by LLS in research has benefited not just patients like Steve but individuals with other types of cancer.  Of the 39 new cancer fighting drugs approved by the FDA in the last 10 years, 19 of them were originally developed to fight blood cancers and received funding from LLS.   All 19 of those drugs are now being used to treat other cancers as well.  We am participating in the Student of the Year campaign to honor Steve and all the other people in our lives, who are now - or will be in the future - fighting cancer.      

Our team goal is to raise $20,000 between February 17 and April 7. It is a lofty goal, but  we are willing to work hard to reach it.  We cannot do it alone.  We need your help.  There are a few ways you can support our fundraising efforts:

1. Donate here via on our personal fundraising page
2. Share our message and fundraising link with your contacts via email or social media.
3. Donate a silent auction item that can be used for the Grand Finale Gala auction.
4. Help us a secure a corporate sponsorship (Sponsorships start at $2500 and sponsors receive Gala benefits).

Not only is this campaign a great way to support LLS and their life-saving work, but it’s a great leadership opportunity for us. Students receive scholarships based on our fundraising and awareness efforts, and the winning team's school receives a grant. We are so excited to be able to make a difference in our community in this way. Thank you for your generosity and support. Your donation truly makes a difference and with your help, we’re one step closer to a cure for blood cancers.

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.

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. And many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are helping patients with other cancers and serious diseases. In fact, drugs first approved for blood cancers are now approved to treat patients with stomach cancers, skin cancers, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

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, thank you for your support!

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