Students of the Year Triangle

Maya Vermeer | Team Vermeer

Maya's Students of the Year Fundraiser

Mar 18, 2021

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting the mission of LLS!  Please note, gifts made on this page after 7:00pm on Thursday, March 18, 2021 will not be counted towards the competition for the 2021 Triangle Students of the Year. To make a gift that will be credited to your candidate’s competition total after 7:00pm on Thursday, March 18th, please visit https://SOYTriangle21.givesmart.com. 

 

 

Hi! My name is Maya, I am a current high school junior from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and I am so honored to a part of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Student of the Year campaign. 

Working to end blood cancer has been a cause near to my and my family's hearts for as long as I can remember. My dad and his four siblings grew up with their parents in a small town in Iowa, where my Grandfather was a veterinarian and my Grandmother wrangled her four boys and single daughter. When my Dad grew up and had me, my Grandparents were such an important part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are my Grandfather helping me onto their neighbor's horse, and my Grandmother making me sandwiches to eat on their roof in the hot summer months. 

When I was still an infant, my Grandmother was diagnosed with Leukemia. She was an incredibly strong woman, and despite the pain that came with her illness, the chemo to treat it, and her remissions, she stayed a wonderfully sweet and wise presence in my life. After seven years of battling it, she passed away. Only three months afterwards, my Grandfather fell ill. He was also diagnosed with Leukemia, and passed away soon afterwards. 

My Grandparents are two of the most remarkable people that I have ever known. I joined the mission to help end Leukemia and other blood cancers because they didn't deserve to go through what they did. My dad, his siblings, and the rest of our family didn't deserve to lose them. Nobody does. LLS works tirelessly to make my dream of ending blood cancer once and for all a reality, and your donation can help us achieve this. 

Thank you so much for visiting my page and I hope you find the genorisity to donate to this fight!

My Grandparents, brother and I at their home in Orange City, Iowa. 

My Grandparents, Mom, brother and I at a local playground in their hometown.  

My Grandparents on their porch. 

 

43 Comments

  • GEORGE MATHEW

    REACH FOR THE STARS. GOOD LUCK

  • Heidi and Gary Tyson

    Maya, We so admire all of your good work in the community. Excited to watch your star rise and make our world better. Heidi and Gary

  • Wendy & Timur Kuran

    Dear Maya, We have long admired your remarkable family and are proud to participate as you honor them in this meaningful way. Wendy & Timur

  • Dan and Saritha Vermeer

    Yay Maya!

  • Kristin McDonald

    Thank you for doing this important work. My grandmother also passed away of leukemia. Her furneral was the morning of my high school graduation. I'm donating in her honor. <3

  • Ruth Higgins

    Thanks for doing this Maya

  • Kimberly Welch

    Best wishes on your efforts to make a difference, Maya! Kim Welch and John Roberson

  • Brent Vermeer

    Miss you but never forgotten

  • John Virdin

    Supporting Maya's wonderful efforts!

  • Douglas Gordin

    Hi Maya. I love your family! And your commitment to healing. Bravo!

  • Mariah Hess

    Maya, thank you so much for doing this work. I have such fond memories of your grandparents. I loved them very much! Good luck.

  • Matt DeGooyer

    Maya - a wonderful thing you are doing in memory of your grandparents. I wish you great success in your fundraising. Matt DeGooyer

  • Bill & Betsy Crittenden

    Thank you, Maya, for your dedication to this cause in memory of your grandparents. The challenge will only be met by folks by you focusing on the cure for blood cancers.

  • Karen and John Alexander

    What a touching tribute to your grandparents and great contribution to this cause. Best of luck!

  • GAYLEN R BRUBAKER

    A good cause. Thanks for including us. Gaylen and Barbara

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for doing this and so proud of you Maya!

  • MICHELLE WHICHARD

    Dear Maya, What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your grandparents...and to raise money for such a wonderful cause. You are amazing:) Love, the Whichard-Willoughbys

  • Julie Vermeer Elliott

    So grateful for your work, Maya! My parents would be so proud.

  • Susan Steinberg

    What a beautiful way to honor your grandparents!

  • Charles Green

    Thanks for your work on this, Maya. Good luck!

  • Marisa Kathard

    Thanks for working on this important resource for many families. Keep up the good work Maya!

  • Ravalli Family Medicine

    Ravalli Family Medicine is happy to support Maya Vermeer's efforts on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

  • Shruti Agarwal

    Dear Maya, We are so proud to see how the memories of your grandparents have become a force to drive you on this mission. Keep it up, and good luck. Agarwals

  • James Emery

    Thank you Maya for your work in raising awareness and funds for this great cause. My mother also died of a blood-based cancer, and I'm making this donation to your efforts in her name. Best regards, James Emery

  • Neva and David Bartholomew

    Thank you for raising funds for a great cause!

  • Anonymous

    I appreciate you working to raise money for such an important cause!

  • Ronald Garcia

    Go Maya!

  • Anne and Chris Sciarrone

    Good luck in meeting your goal, Maya! Love, Anne and Chris Sciarrone (old friends in Atlanta)

  • Jackson den Herder + Cameron Barr

    Thank you for sharing the story of your family, Maya. We are so glad to be in your community. Good luck! -Cameron and Jackson

  • Gelderloos Family

    Thank you, Maya! Way to help make the world a healthier place.... The Gelderloos Family

  • Luke Vermeer

    Proud of your good work Maya!

  • Beth Dale

    What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents and others who struggle with this illness. You’re also setting a great example of helping others.

  • Marina Persoglia Bell

    Maya, I’m so proud of you! I look forward to seeing you soon. Marina and David Bell

  • Anonymous

    You are doing a great job Maya!!

  • David and Michelle Gordon

    Maya-- what a beautiful tribute to your grandparents. Their warmth and kindness shines through in their smiles. And anyone who can raise 4 sons and a daughter is truly a hero.

  • Carol Healy

    Thanks for raising money for such an important cause! Carol, Mike, Mae and Teddy

  • Gary Gereffi

    Maya, it's wonderful to see you devoting your energy and talent to such a worthy cause! Your grandparents would be incredibly proud of you. Keep up the great work!

  • Ronnie Chatterji and Neely Shah

    Proud to support this effort!

  • Dalia Patino-Echeverri

    Thanks so much for doing this important work, Maya! How nice this world would be if at least half the highschoolers had the heart and passion you have!

  • Anonymous

    Great work Maya!

  • Lisa Manley

    Well done, Maya! Your passion and dedication are commendable.

  • Monica Ellis

    Way to go Maya. Thank you for advocating for this important cause.

  • Lakshmi Goyal

    Maya, keep the good work going! All the best for student of the year. Lakshmi and Anil

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