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. 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.

 I will be fundraising in honor of my Uncle Mark.  Almost three years ago, my uncle was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Learning that he would battle this terrible cancer was devastating for me and my family. He endured the biggest fight of his life.  Luckily, he had fantastic doctors and fought hard and has since recovered.  We are so proud of him and honor him as a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Ever since he was diagnosed, I have become interested in how I can help those who have been affected by Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other types of blood cancers.  So, I was very excited when I was asked to join this fundraising challenge. 

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

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.