My name is Chelsea Chukwu. I grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Then, I moved to Washington, DC and started 6th grade at Kelly Miller Middle School. I attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts for 2 years, in the Literary Media & Communications Department. I love free-writing, it changed my mindset on how each person lives day to day. I'm currently a junior at Richard Wright Public Charter School, with my extra time I can advocate for teenagers with leukemia or lymphona. 

I don't have any family members with leukemia or lymphoma, but my gramdmother died of breast cancer. Knowing that my grandmother could have survived with the proper care is unsettling. That's why fundraising is crucial. Funding treatments for leukemia and lymphoma could find similar options for other types of cancers. Recently, the money from past fundraisers have gone to CAR-T cell immunotherapy. Supporting our cause, could help find safer and less life changing forms of therapy. Importantly, LLS works to help people and that means quality, affordable and coordinated care.

In the future, I want to become a civil rights lawyer. A part of that job comes with defending people who don't get the proper care they need or can't afford it. Especially, when a family member has been recently diagonsed, and their in a late life threatning stage.

If you could share this link with any of your contacts that would help our campaign a lot, every dollar counts. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) 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.

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.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support!

For more information about LLS, please visit www.lls.org.