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 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. 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.

13 years ago my best friend Hannah McNeal was diagnosed with Acute T cell lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I met Hannah when we were in first grade, when she first joined my Girl Scout troop. At the time she was undergoing treatment. She came in feeling sick, tired, her hair falling out, yet she always seemed to find happiness being with her friends and doing all the fun activities that young girl scouts do. It was at that moment that I knew Hannah was going to make a difference in the world of cancer.  In 2008 she was selected to be the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Girl of the Year”. From there, she participated in the Light the Night Walk and the CureSearch Walk, raising large sums of money for cancer research. She is also involved with school clubs which support different cancer organizations such as “Codi’s Hats” and “Relay for Life”.   

Since she went into remission, I have been involved in several of the fundraising activities and organizations that she was a part of. She opened my eyes to the world of giving back, making it one of my passions to continue to help support those with cancer. Being a part of these organizations and clubs for so long has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine. Seeing how the disease impacts not only the individual who is sick but also those around them, makes it even more important to find a cure.  

After 2 years of intense chemotherapy and radiation, Hannah finally went into remission.  Fast forward to today, 2018, I can say that she has been cancer free for 11 years and is getting ready to begin her freshman year at college in 2019.  It is her mission to support a cause (LLS) that that provides the foundation needed to fundraise money for research, to make the difference in saving the lives of kids and families who are battling cancer just as she did 13 years ago. 

It’s crazy for me to think about the first time I met Hannah, as she walked into our girl scout meeting, frail and sick and to see the AMAZING person she has become today.  Having the privilege to grow up with Hannah is something that I treasure and will be thankful for the rest of my life.  She has touched my heart in ways that most people can’t even imagine.  She inspires me and I hope she inspires you too.

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. 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.