My goal is to get everyone I possibly can do donate even the smallest amount of money in order to get closer to beating Leukemia. Even if everyone is not able, I hope to continue to spread awareness through this great originization with the help and leadership of Charlotte, Forbes, and Lexie. I hope you all will consider donating to Forbes' Fighters, I'm very happy to be a part of this, and - through donating - you can too!

I joined student of the year with no connection to cancer, as I have never had a loved one or friend be affected by cancer, but my joining, in my opinion, was definitely not random! I always have tried working with my church and clubs and committees at school to help with service projects, fundraising, and getting involved, but I have never found something that I was able to connect to, rather than just donating an item or making a poster for the cause. So when my friend invited me to join this team, I was very excited. Charlotte is very passionate and committed, and this project definitely requires more time, investment, creativity, effort, etc. After learning more about the cause of Student of the Year, I was even more interested in this great opportunity. I think this is a great way to get people aware and motivated to accomplish the goals of the LLS, and I am very happy to be a part of it.

• Lydia Farr

I am honored to participate as a team member for the 2020 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 support my candidate and am 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 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.