Dear Friends and Family,

Today more than a million Americans are fighting a daily battle with blood cancers and every 4 minutes another person unwillingly joins the fight. I have been given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the battle and help those living with blood cancers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has nominated me as a candidate in their Charlotte “Students of the Year” fundraising challenge, and I could not be more excited to make a difference in the lives of patients across the country. I was nominated for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student of the Year campaign by the owner of my dance studio, Mrs. Michelle Soutier. I immediately wanted to be a part of this campaign and I could not be more honored that she chose me to nominate for this amazing campaign. 

This mission is important to me because not only have several of my family members been affected by cancer but friends I call family.  One friend who was like an aunt to me was diagnosed with cancer. We worried for five years how she was doing. Fortunately now I am happy to say she is in remission. The journey that I have been on alongside my family and friends that have been impacted by cancer is what has inspired me to want to do more. I want to help in any way I can. This mission means that I will be contributing to a cause that is very close to my heart and close to the hearts of so many that I know and love.  

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the largest donor to blood cancer research in the nation. They have invested nearly $1.3 billion in research, and are leaders in advancing breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine. These revolutionary new treatments originally discovered through blood cancer research are now being tested in clinical trials for other cancers. While there has been phenomenal progress in the fight to cure cancer, there is still so much more to be done. Leukemia is still the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 20.

My campaign provides an opportunity to support the critical work of LLS in combating these diseases.  I am honoring those who have battled blood cancers and raising money that will go directly to LLS in support of its longstanding mission to find a cure and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Along with my team, I will work to increase awareness about the impact of blood cancers and the cutting edge treatments that are currently being researched, as well as inspire others to join the fight to find a cure.

I have assembled Dancers Serve to help me raise funds. I am proud to lead my campaign team and work towards our goal to raise $20,000 during the next 7 weeks - from January 26^th – March 13^th, 2020.

Help be part of the cure and help my team compete in the Charlotte Students of the Year campaign. For more information about LLS and Student of the Year, please visit studentsoftheyear.org.

Sincerely,

Emma Cook

2020 Student of the Year Candidate