Hi it's Charlotte Henry and I am honored to participate in the 2019 Students of the Year program, a seven-week initiative in which select high school students from around the country participate in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I participated in this campaign last year on team Hopeful Heroes and I was so motivated by this campaign that I decided to be a candidate in the 2019 campaign. I am a candidate heading a student led team called Knockout Blood Cancer with my co-candidate, Holden Smith. I am proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of a young patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. More specifically, for one of my mother's closest friends, Ryan McFalls. Ryan was known for lighting up a room with his infectious laugh and he was always there to guide and support me. He passed away in September 2018 and his loss was devastating. After seeing his battle, I was determined to help put an end to cancer. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) of the Year and our team goal is $50,000. 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.

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. LLS is the world's largest voluntary health agency and the National Capital Chapter consistently ranks as one of the top chapters in the nation.  And many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are helping patients with other cancers and serious diseases. In fact, drugs first approved for blood cancers are now approved to treat patients with stomach cancers, skin cancers, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

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.

Please visit our website often and bring friends who would also like to donate!

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

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