I have the privilege of being nominated as a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2025 Triangle Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. Student Visionaries of the Year is a seven-week leadership development program that runs from February 22nd to April 10th to raise money to help blood cancer patients not only survive but thrive after treatment.  I am writing today to ask for your support of my campaign and LLS’s mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients.  

I have created a team of committed friends and family to partner with me on this journey. Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $75,000! 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.  

Every dollar raised brings us closer to a world without blood cancer. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is dedicated to funding lifesaving research, providing patient support, and advocating for policies that ensure access to care. Together, we can transform lives and give hope to those battling blood cancer. 

I will be participating in this fundraiser in honor of my grandfather, Don Dixon. In 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma which is a Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is a blessing that he celebrated his 8th year of remission this past October and is doing extremely well! LLS was an organization that my family learned more about during his cancer journey. His passion to help bring more awareness to the fight against blood cancers has inspired me. It started with us creating Team Dixon participating in the LLS Light Night annual walk and my grandpa joining the LLS board, that he served on for 6 years. LLS continues to be huge part of our family and I am excited to continue to support this organization. I am at the age where I can make a difference in hopes that other patients and families will be able to rely on LLS, as we were ​​​​able to when my grandpa was really sick. 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. I know that with your help, I can reach my goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers.   

Thank you for your support!

Avery Perry