My inspiration for LLS is someone I've considered an older sister throughout my life. She also happens to be the strongest person I have ever known. Due to her humble nature and to ensure her privacy, she has asked that her name be kept anonymous. While she does not have blood cancer, she was diagnosed with ALS and colon cancer in 2017 when she was just 20 years old. This extremely personal connection inspires me to participate and help any cause surrounding childhood cancer research.

Regardless of the countless treatments and hospital visits that this girl has gone through, her smile never fades and her positivity continues to astound me. Not a day goes by that we don't speak to each other, so naturally, she is aware of any minor inconvenience that occurs in my life. Never once does she complain about the daily hospital visits or the exhausting infusions. Her selfless nature truly knows no end. This girl and I have known each other since I was merely six years old. At the time, she was freshly into the world of being a teenager at the age of 13. As we grew up together, the gap in our ages never affected our relationship. We saw each other as equals back then, just as we do now. Before her sickness, we would take trips to the Wendy's drive-thru as if it were the biggest adventure we could embark upon. I am forever grateful for those memories, which I surely will never forget.

On December 15, 2021, this incredible woman graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor of science and a concentration in life sceinces. It is mind-blowing to me that someone who spends so much time at Georgetown Medstar University Hospital would want to continue to spend their life there, however, I admire her even more for it. It truly shows her passion for embracing all aspects of medicine into her life. I am endlessly proud of the woman she's become and continuously envious of her strength and persistence. 

I truly could not be more passionate about this subject and every cent towards the cause brings a smile to my face. Knowing that although I might not be directly helping my connection, I will be helping millions of others is an indescribable feeling. So to each and every one of you that donates to my page, thank you so so much on behalf of both myself and my inspiration. 

Hi Everyone! Thank you for visiting my fundraising page, welcome! 

As some of you may know, I was a team member during the Students of the Year campaign last year. This year, I have taken up the challenge of starting my own team alongside Regan McGinley, a fellow Visitation student and LLS advocate. Just as I have accepted my challenge, I urge you to accept my challenge of donating to this incredible cause. 

I encourage you to join me in supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. By donating to LLS, you support the many facets of LLS’s mission work from investing in groundbreaking research, providing education and support to patients, and advocating at the state and federal level for legislation to help those living with cancer. My appreciation for your support cannot be overstated — each and every dollar donated to LLS brings us closer to our goal to end blood cancer and makes an impact for cancer patients and their families. If Venmo is an easier donation method, my Venmo is @gretchenobrien, simply caption it "LLS".

 Many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. And LLS-funded drugs like targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day. We really are getting close to our goal of a world without blood cancers! All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. They'll not only support LLS research, but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well. Please visit my website often and tell 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