Student Visionaries of the Year Washington DC

Isabella Ngwana | Team Dawgs Against Leukemia

Isabella's Student Visionaries of the Year Fundraiser

Jan 21, 2023

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.
They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers.

 

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

 

Did you know leukemia is still the most common type of childhood cancer? LLS’s The Dare to Dream Project aims to help as many children as possible get treatment for their cancer. We have already facilitated progress by funding a first-ever pediatric AML Data Commons, a platform that ensures consistency in global data reporting, and by launching the first-ever acute leukemia LLS PedAL Master Clinical Trail, matching patients to treatments based on their cancer’s unique tumor biology.

 

The Give Kids A Chance Act passed in Congress would authorize the FDA to require preclinical and clinical studies of combinations of therapies for pediatric cancers under certain circumstances. But even though with this legistation, its not enough for our children facing these battles. Congress also passed the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act of 2021. This bill requires the share of federal funds for cancer research that supports pediatric cancer research is to equal the percentage of the U.S. population that is under the age of 18. But still that is not enough.

 

 Team Dawgs Against Leukemia wants to join the fight to advocate for legislation in congress for better treatment and medication for leukemia patients. Most leukemia and lymphoma victims are young children or families that cannot afford the prices of treatment. As a team, we believe that the cost treatment should not be as high across the board. According to the NIH, The per-patient average ranged from nearly $89,000 for chronic leukemia to more than $460,000 for acute leukemia. With chemotherapy starting at 3,000 dollars. The average American family makes approximately 54,000 a year and these treatments would be inaccessible to them without going into debt. 

 

Furthermore, Team Dawgs against Leukemia would like to advocate for treatments that aren’t as harmful to children suffering with Leukemia or Lymphoma. Chemotherapy kills cells that multiply quickly such as leukaemic cells. It also causes damage to fast-growing normal cells including hair cells and cells that make up the tissues in the mouth and gut. These treatments have a strong effect on the bone marrow. Chemotherapy affects the bone marrow’s ability to produce adequate numbers of blood cells. As a result, the blood count (the number of white cells, platelets and red cells circulating in your blood) will generally fall within a week of treatment. The length of time it takes for the bone marrow and blood counts to recover depends largely on the type of chemotherapy given.

 

 

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

 

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

  • Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients
  • Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
  • Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

 

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

 

For more information about LLS, please visit www.lls.org.

 

 

4 Comments

  • Pavilie Ndjah

    Good Job Izzy! Proud of you!

  • Christina Robe

    I’m so proud of you Isabella for your effort to raise money and awareness for LLS! One person can always make a difference! 🤗❤️

  • Odile Martin

    We will confie-toi fight and find the cure .

  • Adrienne Femnou

    Keep up the good work Izzy!

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