I want you to imagine hearing the three words, “You have cancer.” Sadly, this has been a reality for my sister, Jane, and for more than 1.3 million Americans who are fighting or are in remission from blood cancer, including many kids like my sister in our area.

My name is Anna Fiemeyer and I had the privilege of being nominated as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) fundraising and awareness competition called Student Visionaries of the Year. Almost every high school student wants the chance to be a part of something that will change the world - and this year I will have that chance!! I am a sophomore at Wadena-Deer Creek High School and I am looking forward to making a difference for those battling blood cancer like Jane had when she was alive. 

Jane died at the young age of eight from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). I now have an opportunity to do something in her honor and help make Jane’s dream to find a cure for cancer a reality. In addition to helping make her dream come true, this cause is incredibly important to me because blood cancer, specifically leukemia, is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in children and young adults. I have had the opportunity to meet so many kids with cancer in our area and have seen first-hand the effects of cancer on kids and their families.

This campaign is a seven-week philanthropic competition for high school leaders seeking to make an impact in the fight against cancer. I am competing along with other students from Minnesota to raise as much money as possible for LLS. I have created a team of committed friends and family to partner with me on this journey. Together, we will work towards a lofty goal of raising $75,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. And, when I hit my first milestone of $50,000 a research portfolio will be named in Jane’s honor. I think this is a great way for Jane’s legacy to continue and I hope it is one step closer to helping her dream to find a cure for cancer to come true!

The money raised helps LLS, the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers, fund research to advance lifesaving treatments, drive advocacy for policies that protect patient access to these treatments, and provide patients and families with hope, guidance, education and support. I am particularly passionate about the RESEARCH mission pillar and will be representing this area of my LLS during my campaign.

Not only is Student Visionaries of the Year a great way to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but it is also a great leadership experience for me. Being part of this campaign means so much to me, and I am proud to help my generation be the last to see cancer. I know my goal is a big goal, but if kids and people can do hard things like enduring cancer, losing their hair and feeling terrible while fighting for their life like my sister did, then I know that I can do hard things and work towards my $50,000 goal. And, even if I don’t reach that goal, I will know that I did my best and that every dollar raised will go towards research to help others and aid in finding a cure - just like Jane wished for before she died. 

I cannot achieve my goal alone, though; I need your help.

Yes, fundraising is hard, but it is not as hard as fighting cancer. Your donation will fund research and be a stepping stone to save many lives. All donations received will support LLS’s overall mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. I thank you in advance for partnering with a campaign so close to my heart, and please remember, every bit counts and every dollar makes a difference.

My campaign will provide support to the critical work of LLS in hopes that one day no one will have to grow up without the ones they love or needing to hear the words “your sister has cancer”. I know that with your help, I can reach my goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers.

Thank you so much for helping this cause. I can’t wait to share the exciting updates of the next seven weeks with you. Stay tuned to see what my team and I can accomplish!!! 

Sincerely,

Anna Fiemeyer