Dear friends and family

Hi everyone! I am thrilled to have been given the amazing opportunity to participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS), “Students of the Year” fundraising campaign. Students of the Year is a seven-week fundraising competition for high school students in Northern Ohio. At end of the seven weeks, the student who raises the most funds receives a $2,500 college scholarship! My team and I are determined to reach our goal to raise $75,000 between January 26th and March 15th.

My journey while participating in Students of the Year has been extremely rewarding. During my sophomore year, I only participated in events that were held by a good friend of mine who was a candidate at the time. By junior year, I decided to become a teammate on Team LCR. Together as a team we held several fundraising events and surpassed our expectations by raising $57,000! This year, I am a co-candidate, alongside my friend Lily Seeman, as part of Team Hope. With your help, I am positive that we can reach our goal to help fund research for finding a cure to cancer!

The campaign holds a special meaning for every person who participates, either directly or indirectly. This year, I am dedicating my participation in Students of the Year to my Aunt Marianne who passed away due to colon cancer. Whenever I had the chance to see her, the smile on her face was so bright that I was instantly filled with happiness. Today, she remains my angel and I will never forget the moments that I was able to share with her.

Today, 1.2 million Americans are still fighting or are in remission from blood cancers and about every 3 minutes another person joins that fight. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the largest contributor to blood cancer research in the nation, funding $3 million in research alone right here in Cleveland over the past 3 years! I invite you to join my team and me in taking a stand against cancer! Together we can make a difference and be a part of making Someday, Today! If you would like to donate online please visit our fundraising webpage page at https://events.lls.org/noh/nohSOY19/ctrykoff or if you wish to donate through the mail please make your check payable to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society using the pre-addressed envelope. Make sure to print our team name, TEAM HOPE, in the memo section.

*Please note: your donations are tax deductible.

Most importantly, please help us spread the word! We have found that so many people have been affected by cancer and want to get involved. Both my team and LLS are fully committed to taking a stand and fighting against blood cancer, and we hope you will stand with us!

For updates on what events Team Hope will be hosting, feel free to look at the Team Hope home page.

Sincerely,

Cassie Trykoff; Team Hope

2018 Student of the Year Candidate