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.  

The reason I am running for student of the year is to give back. There are so many people who rely on the research and treatments driven by these donations, to survive and get through the trials of cancer. The average person can wake up, walk downstairs and make some cereal, while others, even children, wake up in hospital beds after daily intense treatments. LLS is a great organization because they really focus on pediatric cancer and how to revolutionize the standard of care for children. They do this by providing them with safer treatments that use less chemotherapy in order to reduce harm to healthy cells in the body.

Additionally, I personally know how cancer can affect people. My Grandma had skin cancer on her eyelid, and had her eye sewn shut for months. Sadly, this is far from how severe and detrimental cancer can get. But the money that we raise with your help can save lives!

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.

My co-candidate Kyla and I have assembled Team BFFs4LSS to help raise funds. We are proud to lead our campaign team and work towards our goal to raise $100,000 during the next 7 weeks - from January 17 – March 5, 2021.

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,

Bella Mikels

2021 Student of the Year Candidate