I am excited to announce that this year I was asked to be apart of the  Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) “Students of the Year”  Campaign and help raise money for blood cancer alongside my friends on Team Tigers.  “Students of the Year” is a seven-week fundraising competition that aims to make a difference and support those that are battling with blood cancer within the country.  The fundraising will begin on January 9, 2021 and run through February 27, 2021. As a team we are hoping to raise $20,000 through the help of the community.

Founded in 1949, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has spent 71 years helping to fund a cure for blood cancers. Over these years LLS has raised more than $1 billion to help advance cancer therapies and save lives. On top of fundraising they also provide free information for families and assist in making treatment as accessible as possible.  Since LLS was founded, Survival rates have been constantly growing and are reaching the highest rates ever. Even with survival rates spiking another person begins their fight against blood cancer every 3 minutes. LLS strives to help those who are both fighting their battle now, and those who have already won.  This year’s “Student of the Year” campaign is an important push towards finding a cure and providing comfort for thousands of families.

My choice to join the Leukemia Lymphoma Society is one with a bit of a personal history.  At the beginning of my freshman year of high school my close friend Julius (pictured with me) was diagnosed with Leukemia.  Quickly everything changed for him, his family, and the people closest to him.  Throughout his fight I saw just how hard the battle was.  For him it meant social isolation, rigorous treatments, and a disconnection from school.  For his family it meant extensive medical bills,  chronic worrying, and a child in a hospital miles from home.  However throughout his entire treatment Julius stayed positive.  I never saw his confidence waiver and I doubt it ever did.  He fought hard to work his way through school and slowly clawed back to the normalities of his life.  Thankfully, less than a year after his diagnosis he entered remission, and has been doing exceptional ever since.  Sometimes when looking in from the outside the hardest part is feeling like there is nothing you can do, and it’s frustrating.  But I’ve learned that the most we can do is provide support and stay connected to those who are struggling.

Julius’ fight highlighted just how much blood cancer can affect someone's life.  With an impact stretching from family, to his friends, and out into the community, his experiences pushed me to help others that were going through the same struggles and I encourage you to do so as well.