Students of the Year Washington DC

Kalle Masci | Team SWAG (Students with a Goal)

Kalle's Students of the Year Fundraiser

Aug 25, 2020

Hi everyone! As many of you may know, I was a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Students of The Year campaign as a team member last year. This year, I am taking on an even bigger role as a candidate. For those of you who do not know, Students of the Year (SOY) is a seven-week campaign in which select high school students are encouraged to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Over the seven weeks, teams from across the country compete to raise the most money for the LLS. By raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, we are contributing to blood cancer research and treatments with the goal of improving patient’s lives all over the United States. At the end of the campaign, the team who raised the most money for the LLS is named the Students of The Year.

This year my fellow Yorktown juniors, Sydney Polly and Anna Macon Corcoran, and I have started our own team at Yorktown High School called Team SWAG (Students With A Goal). Our goal is no small feat, set at $50,000!

I am so passionate about this campaign for many reasons. One of the most important is the effect cancer has had on my life and the lives of my family members. When my aunt was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia. She was cured of cancer, but the radiation permanently affected her and still does today. In 2018, my grandma was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. I saw firsthand the way cancer affects a person and the treatment they go through. Sadly, after six months of fighting, she passed away. Through my fundraising, I want to be able to help other people whose lives are being changed by cancer, since I am no stranger to what that is like.

Right now, the LLS needs your support more than ever. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients are living in fear of being immunocompromised, on top of the intense cancer treatment. Your donation can make a huge difference in the life of a cancer patient. So please consider donating to this amazing cause, EVERY dollar helps! Team SWAG needs your help in reaching our goal!

 

43 Comments

  • Patricia Haddad

    Calle, your grandmother would be proud of you. I miss her very much!

  • Dove Payman

    Keep up the great work for an important cause.

  • Michael & Anita Gallen

    We know several friends and relatives who have fought the dread diseases. We appreciate all working for the cures.

  • Loretta Lawrence

    Kalie, you are doing a great job! Your grandmother would be so proud.

  • Betsy Lobaugh

    Way to go!

  • Anonymous

    Thank you for your hard work! I work for your mom at SOTH and the work you are doing means a lot to me and my family! Good luck :)

  • Charley and Katie Verkamp

    Great job ladies - thank you for all your hard work!

  • Sara Weiser

    Such a wonderful cause!

  • Jennifer Coyne

    Good luck Kalle! I hope you guys reach your goal!!

  • Sue Shotel

    Sue and Jay Shotel are donating in honor of Dani Greene (an 18 year survivor of Leukemia (AML) who now teaches pre-school children with special needs in the Arlington County Public Schools. Sue worked with Frank as a teacher and administrator in MCPS. Strong work team!

  • Stephen and Claudine Ostrow

    Calle, thank you for doing this truly significant fundraising. We are donating in memory of our son, Alan Ostrow, who died from CML at age 20 in 1984. "What might have been" still resonates. Had Gleevec, approved by the FDA in 2001, been available at the time, he probably would be alive today. This "miracle" drug was developed with major support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Stephen and Claudine Ostrow (friends of Frank)

  • The Strazzella Family

    Thank you for doing this important work Kalle!!

  • The McAfee Family

    Good Luck Kalle! We are so proud of you!!! Can’t wait to see you. Love, The McAfee’s

  • scott sachs

    Appreciate what you're doing!

  • Kristen Masci

    This is for Beth Gureasko This is for an ad for Skills in the Hill, LLC Pediatric Therapy

  • Grace Golojuch

    Amazing Kalle, beautifully worded. Good luck with reaching your goal!

  • Annie Jenkins

    Your hard work is worth the fight!! Annie & John Jenkins

  • Karen Buccitti

    This donation is in the memory of my beautiful and brilliant cousin Carol Masci who was tragically taken from us due to a Glioblastoma brain tumor. This was a terrible loss for us all. Due to her non ending dedication to education and science we all thank her for her generous gift of her Body Donation to further research for possible cures in the human body. What a gift to humanity. May she rest in peace.

  • Colleen Lauerman

    I really appreciate and admire all you and your team are doing, Kalle. Way to go!

  • Judy Blatman

    Kalle, you're a beautiful woman, inside and out. Honored to help your cause.

  • The Andelman Family

    Great job, Kalle, for a great cause.

  • Chris Morgan

    Well done!

  • Jane Kelso

    In support of all those affected by leukemia and lymphoma, and their caregivers. Thank you!

  • Kevin Gallen

    Good luck reaching your goal.

  • Kim & Olivia

    Go Kalle!

  • Carol and Ron Andre

    In memory of our daughter Kristen and your grandmother!

  • michael meyer

    Way to go!!!

  • Rami

    Great job Kalle!

  • jodi barth

    To all the wonderful people in my life that have been taken from us way too soon.

  • Gincy Stezar

    Thank you for championing this cause. I am in CML remission thanks to wonderful doctors and the efforts of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's work. My family has seen too much cancer and I have another brother battling this disease presently.

  • Laura Powers

    Way to go Kalle!

  • James W Van Hook, MD

    Mike Gureasko and his family

  • Eric and Anne Anderson

    Good Luck Kalle!

  • David Masci

    Good luck Kalle!

  • Linda Palmer

    Go Team SWAG!!! Tom and Linda Palmer

  • Megan Shapiro & The Jeanne Phil Meg Team

    Go Kalle!

  • John Di Tomasso

    Your grandmother, CarolE, was one of our dearest friends. We think of her often. Many thanks for your efforts in this worthy cause and good luck to you and your team in achieving your goal. John & Joyce

  • Jennifer Leonard

    Great job Kalle!!!

  • Kathleen Jackson

    10 year AML survivor.

  • John Masci

    Proud of you Kalle.

  • Joanne Guerrera

    Kalle, Uncle Mark and Aunt Jo are so incredibly proud of you, and I know Gramdma is smiling at you from heaven.

  • Frank Masci

    In memory of all those who have suffered and died, especially my dear wife Carole.

  • Bonnie Hershberg

    Thanks for doing this work. It is an inspiration. I loved your Grandma and miss her everyday.

Contact us by email or call 888.LLS.7177.