Students of the Year Triangle

Kelly Baker | Sister's By Blood

Welcome to Kelly Baker's SOY Fundraising Page!

Mar 15, 2019

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting LLS’s mission to cure blood cancer, not someday but today! Please note, online fundraising gifts made from this point forward will not impact the announcement of the 2019 Triangle Students of the Year, but your donation will still greatly impact LLS’s mission.

 

Dear Friends & Family,

My name is Kelly Baker, and I am Brian and Maureen’s oldest daughter and the older sister of Ashley, George, and Shea. I’d like to share an experience I had with you that has inspired me to compete in a one-of-a-kind campaign for an exceptionally worthwhile cause. I would be so grateful if you helped me support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society… and help my team, “Sisters By Blood,” hit our goal of $50,000 and become the Students of the Year.

I am honored to announce that I’ve been nominated as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2019 Student of the Year Campaign for the Triangle. I have many motives and reasons behind my desire to compete in this remarkable campaign. The most prominent of these reasons involves an experience I had at a young age that I had no idea would have such a lasting impact on me as I grew older. When I was eight years old, my dad took me to visit one of his close friend’s daughters, Maddie Sargent, at UNC Children’s Hospital. Walking into that hospital room at such a young age, I did not know what cancer was or the significant impact it had on kids and families worldwide. I just knew Maddie was sick, and the doctors were trying to heal her.

A beautiful, active, athletic young girl, Maddie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age six. After about eight months of Maddie following different chemotherapy protocols, Tim and Cara, Maddie's parents, were told that Maddie’s leukemia was not reacting to the treatments as they had hoped. As Maddie and I played with American girl dolls and talked about subjects such as school, sports, and other ordinary things, I remained unaware of the heavy conversation Mr. Sargent and my dad were having just outside the hospital room: Mr. Sargent explained to my dad how the prognosis had taken a turn for the worst, and that they had been asked to bring family down for one last visit. Maddie was much closer to losing her valiant fight with leukemia than beating it. The doctors did mention, however, that there was one last hope: if Maddie could use an LLS researched therapy to get rid of enough of the leukemia below a specific level, they might be able to attempt a bone marrow transplant. The chances were about 20% of survival if in fact they could move forward with the transplant. Not good… but at least there was a chance. The disease never got below the level they were looking for. But the blood levels did get awfully close, and the doctors decided to move forward with the transplant.

Within days, Maddie started to get an itch. This itch was a sign of graft vs host disease which was also a good sign that the treatment might be working….

And it was working! Maddie would soon begin her road to a truly miraculous recovery. My dad kept our family updated on her remarkable recovery and her road back to a normal childhood. Maddie is now 17 years old and nine years cancer free! She is a talented gymnast and a competitive cheerleader who cherishes every day with her family and friends. She and her family, and by extension, we, are committed to helping those that may find themselves in the same situation. Maddie also happens to be the “LLS Honored Hero” for the 2019 Student of the Year campaign.

Like so many of you, I am incredibly thankful for my own health and the health of my loved ones. Reflecting on the experience I had as a young child has compelled me to take part in this fight against blood cancer. People are alive and well today because people raised money to fund more core blood cancer research 10 years ago. I am grateful for this opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the battle against blood cancers, and in doing so, offer support for families struggling through such incredibly difficult circumstances. I have seen first hand the detrimental impact cancer can have on a family, as well as how powerful it is when people come together to battle the disease that affects so many of those we know and love. Thank you so much for reading this email and Maddie’s incredible story.

To donate to my campaign:

- Please visit my fundraising webpage, https://events.lls.org/nc/triangleSOY19/kbaker

- OR send a check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 401 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513. Please make sure to print “Kelly Baker - Team “Sisters By Blood” in the “Memo” section. The deadline for receiving contributions is March 14th, 2019. Please note: your donations are tax deductible.

I would sincerely appreciate it if you helped be part of the cure and help my team compete in the Triangle Students of the Year campaign. For more information, please contact me at (919) 348-0400 or kellybaker1023@gmail.com . For more information about LLS and Student of the Year, please visit studentsoftheyear.org or www.lls.org. On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, we thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Kelly Baker

2019 Student of the Year Candidate

https://events.lls.org/nc/triangleSOY19/kbaker

MORE INFO...

Every dollar makes a difference, so I ask that you please give what you are able. Also, please don’t forget to reach out to your employer in the event they will generously match your gift.

Did you know that:

· Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer

· Every 10 minutes someone dies from a form of blood cancer

· Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer under age 20

Your donation will help fund the therapies and treatments and help save lives today. All donations for this wonderful cause are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not only support LLS research, but also patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.

· $500 = One year patient stipend for co-pays, treatment or transportation

· $200 = One year family support funding for a family support group

· $100 = One tissue typing test to help identify a bone-marrow donor

· $50 = One CT scan to help with determining treatment effectiveness

 

83 Comments

  • Schantz Family

    Go Kelly!! Virtual Hugs! The Schantz Familt

  • The Kane Family

    Keep up the great work Kelly!! The Kane Family

  • Ziperski Family

    Good luck... Great Cause!

  • Laurie Rebne

    Thanks for doing this kelly

  • JR Moore

    Kelly and Maddie is honor to support your efforts. A great inspiration for all - JR

  • Anson Sager

    Keep up the outstanding work - its a special thing you're doing, and thank you for doing it!

  • Neil & Nancy McNally

    We are happy to support this great cause and thanks to Kelly for all her dedication.

  • Michael Birch

    Get well Maddie

  • Rick and Kristen Schaefer

    Keep up the good work Kelly. So proud of you.

  • Kathy Hogan

    Keep up the great work!

  • Robert and Cynthia Baker

    So proud of all your hard work! Keep it up!

  • Jen & Kevin Gottlieb

    Brian, what a fabulous daughter you have raised! Kudos!

  • Justin Nicholson

    All my fellow fighters / survivors.

  • David Johnson

    She is a true inspiration.

  • Jim & Rebecca Callahan

    Kelly, you are an inspiration. Good luck! Jim & Rebecca Callahan

  • Anonymous

    All the best!

  • Cooper Family

    Such a truly worthwhile cause. I can't think of a better story and cause to be able to contribute to. Great job Kelly! The Cooper Family

  • Sean Feeney

    Great Cause Kelly! All the best

  • Tamatha Vinson

    Good luck !

  • Luckinbill Family

    Thanks Kelly for all you are doing!

  • Mark Albarano

    God bless all of your efforts! May you be successful in all your endeavors. The Albarano Family

  • Justin Coppola

    Go Kelly!! Best of luck and keep pushing for a great cause

  • Alison Pulley

    Love you Kelly and all the good you do!

  • jim gillespie

    Great Cause!46340501

  • Scott and Christy Burkey

    Thanks for your efforts on this campaign as it is a great cause!!

  • Rebecca Patel

    Much love and respect to Kelly for honoring Maddie and making a difference for millions others. Best wishes to you all.

  • William Laster

    Congratulations, Kelly!! Your family at Laster Orthodontics is so proud of you. You are a true inspiration to us all!!

  • Jeff Cooper

    congrats Maddie and Baker family on your fund raising efforts and to do your part to help cure this disease

  • Jerry Van Horn

    Best of Luck!

  • Roger Noonan

    Such a great cause! good luck.

  • michael colman

    Thanks for all your hard work raising money to fight cancer!

  • Lizzie Lee

    I’m so proud of you. Continue to be extraordinary and leading the charge.

  • Julie Sande

    Good luck to you Kelly! - The Sande Family

  • Scott Ammaturo

    With all my prayers and hope.

  • Gallucci Family

    Great work!

  • ray mazzo

    Kelly Baker - Team Sisters By Blood...Great work Kelly..Good Luck

  • Tara Baker

    My cousin’s son was diagnosed with leukemia at the tender age of 18 months. He fought for many long and hard years before he entered remission. Childhood blood cancers are hugely under funded. We need to bring light to the situation. Please consider donating to help all people diagnosed with blood cancers. ♥️

  • Brian Cosmello

    Awesome Kelly!

  • Ara Hallajian

    Congrats Kelly on stepping up and helping out with a great cause. We are very proud of you. Regards, The Hallajians

  • Mark Mechler

    Best of luck.

  • Margaret Bauer

    Good Luck! Margaret and Matt Bauer

  • Lorelei Lindow

    Great cause, Kelly! This organization is also close to my heart; my Dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1990, and all of the research and efforts for finding treatments and cures have certainly been instrumental in keeping him alive and well! Good luck with this campaign!!! Love, Miss Lindow

  • stephen sibilia

    God Speed on raising the funds!

  • Trevor Hanger

    This is a wonderful cause, good luck!

  • David Dellacato

    Kelly-You're an amazing young individual. We are so glad we can help with this cause.

  • Molly Aboussleman

    What a great cause! Good luck! The Abousslemans

  • McGarry Family

    Well done Kelly, good luck

  • The Hurley Family

    Way to go Kelly! Heather says hi!! The Hurley Family

  • Rebecca Dorfman

    Beautiful! Excited for you to reach your goal!

  • Jay Sarkar

    We very heartfelt cause and highly worthy. - Jay Sarkar.

  • Dore Family

    Congrats to Maddie & you are doing a great thing Kelly

  • Christine Kline

    Good Luck Kelly

  • Nancy McLaughlin

    Congratulations Kelly Baker for working so hard to help find a cure! Maddie is indeed a lucky girl to have so many friends supporting her in every way possible. Wishing everyone success and good health. Nancy McLaughlin

  • John Ghize

    Incredible story.

  • Lisa Bateman

    Great work for such a worthy cause!

  • Kathy Carr

    Good luck Kelly!

  • Bill Stush

    Great cause ... good luck

  • Chris Jones

    Congrats on your nomination!

  • Anonymous

    Kelly Baker - team Sisters by Blood

  • ERICA THOMAS

    good luck Kelly! This is such a good cause, and one that hits home for many of us. What an inspiring story! All the best, your friends at Tradeweb

  • Ron Ommerborn

    Good Luck Kelly. Great job supporting a great cause!

  • James Boliver

    Congratulations on your nomination Kelly. It's individuals like yourself devoting your time and effort to a worthy cause that make such a meaningful difference in the lives of others, keep up the inspiring work.

  • david allyn

    good luck Kelly, keep up the good work and I hope you hit your goal!! regards David Allyn

  • Leigh Pulse

    Kelly, What a beautiful young lady you are....inside and out. I know your dad is so very proud of you! Thank you for being that shining light and making a positive difference in the lives of so many!!

  • Anonymous

    Thank you Kelly for raising money for such a wonderful cause. We hope you and your team swill be super successful. So proud of you!!

  • Vyskocil-Flint Family

    Kelly, your passion for this cause is inspiring!

  • Jennifer Masterson

    Keep up the good work!

  • Janine and David DeMilt

    Congrats and good luck. Such a great cause.

  • Jim Wolfrom

    Congratulations on your nomination, and thank you for your hard work and dedication to such an important cause.

  • Stiepleman-Lifschultz Family

    Great work, Kelly

  • The Key Family

    Congratulations Kelly! We are so proud of the wonderful young woman you have become!

  • Anthony Glenn

    Kelly What a moving message and great effort on your behalf. Typical of the underlying Baker spirit that we see in all of your siblings. The Glenn Family

  • John Bove

    Great work.

  • Jeffrey Schappe

    Happy to contribute to such a worthy cause.

  • The Struble Family

    Congratulation Kelly!! So proud of you!!!

  • Tony & Emily DeLucia

    Great work and very proud of your efforts!

  • Janine Higg

    Good luck Kelly! Great job! Keep up the good work!!

  • Dean Esposito

    Hi Kelly... Great job, what a great cause

  • Justina Anastasi

    ❤️

  • Jeff Neville

    Way to go Kelly ! What a great cause !

  • Anonymous

    Kelly Baker - Team “Sisters By Blood"

  • Thomas Meehan

    Kelly, Great written article. Your story is inspirational. I am certain you make your parents proud and are a great example for your siblings. Sincerely your cousin once removed, Thomas Meehan

  • Lynn and Walter Kelly

    Dear Kelly, We are proud of your hard work for a great cause, Aunt Lynn and Uncle Walter

Contact us by email or call 888.LLS.7177.