I am honored to be a candidate 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. Each dollar is a vote. 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 was born in Livingston, New Jersey and live in Mendham/Madison, New Jersey. I attend Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit and graduated from Assumption School of the Blessed Virgin Mary elementary/middle school. I love spending time with my mom, dad, stepmom, three brothers, sister, and two dogs. I have co-founded two clubs which focus on volunteer work. One club works to help a local orphanage while the other works to provide awareness and fundraising for special needs. When not in school I love hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and playing with my dog. Last year I was on a campaign team for an LLS Student of the Year Candidate and it was so much fun and influenced the way I think so much. I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue working with LLS and am so excited to see what the campaign can do!

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

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.

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.