I am happy to announce that this fall, I joined Team SWAG (Students With A Goal) for the 2021-2022 Students of the Year Campaign. With team leaders Sarah Finkel and Sadie O’Neal, our team goal is to raise $50,000, and we need your help!

This is my first year as a team member on this campaign, and I am excited to see what a difference we’ll be able to make! Five years ago my mom was diagnosed with a rare and incurable blood cancer called (Smoldering) Multiple Myeloma. This cancer in the bone marrow can cause bone destruction, tumors, kidney damage, and impaired immune function. While the disease is incurable, it is treatable thanks to the good work of organizations such as LLS, as well as generous donors.

My mom is the reason I decided to join LLS as a Student of the Year; I want to make a difference in the lives of people like my family by raising funds for blood cancer research. Additionally, this campaign is an opportunity for me to practice life skills such as collaboration, communication, and responsibility while supporting an important cause.

Students of the Year (SOY) is a seven-week campaign where high schoolers race to fundraise as much as they can in order to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). During this time, teams nationwide will be competing to raise the most funds by the end of the seven weeks. The goal of this campaign is fundraise, but also to educate and inform the community about blood cancers including Leukemia. With the support of campaigns such as SOY, LLS is making incredible progress in treatments and support for blood cancer patients.

Your donation will make a huge difference in the life of a cancer patient. Please help as you can, because every dollar counts and is greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for helping us contribute towards a better future for cancer patients!