I am so excited 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 (LLS). I am proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of every person who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. 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. Every dollar raised will help to improve the lives of patients and hopefully find a cure.

A part of the reason why I chose to participate in the LLS campaign was for my first cousin Jayda who was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma at the age of 9. She fought to beat it and has now been cancer free for 8 years. She graduated high school this past year with a promising future. 

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled! 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. I am almost positive that you have someone you know who is fighting some type of cancer. Please, think of them and donate. 

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 and family 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.