Some family traditions are worth keeping and being a part of, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2021 Students of the Year campaign is definitely one of them! I was on my first LLS SoY team five years ago as a sixth-grader and I have been on a team every year since. This year I am happy to announce I am partnering with my close friend Gavin Mcilvaine and together we are leading an incredible group of students from Hathaway Brown and University School. Corona has taken so much of our lives the past year and LLS is no exception. They need our support more than ever! We will continue to reach for the highest possible outcome and need everyone's individual help this year more than ever. I promise to keep you informed as we progress! 

For me, this campaign is personal. It is about my Nana. Five years ago, my Nana was diagnosed with positive cold agglutinin, a blood-borne autoimmune disease in which your antibodies attack and destroy your red blood cells causing severe anemia. It is an LLS funded chemotherapy treatment used as immunotherapy that haas made it possible for my Nana to still be here with us today.

Here are some things I think you should know about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and our chapter here in Northeast Ohio:

- LLS has invested more than $40 million in research over the past two decades to advance  T-cell Immunotherapy

- 79.5 cents of every dollar raised goes to impact our mission: treatment, research, patient and family support

- LLS helped advance 19 of the 21 blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA in 2018

-In August and September of 2020, 3 new LLS funded treatments were approved by the US food and drug administration 

Everyone has heard the tagline, "Fighting Cancer is in our blood." It sounds catchy, but it's true. Cancers almost always metastasize through the bloodstream, when we stop this, we stop the spread. Join me and help stop cancer.

Our events this year are limited due to the pandemic but I am happy to announce the covid friendly plans we have for everyone.

• January 30: Kendra Scott 

• February 6: Lilly Pulitzer

• Valentine’s Day Package featuring CupCake Castle, T Floral and more

• February 20: Paramount Tennis Tournament

• February 24: Chipotle (4:00 pm- 8:00 pm) 4015 Richmond Rd, Beachwood, OH 

We have a team Facebook page LOOK OUT Leukemia. You can learn about these events there as well as about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and each of our dedicated team members. Chipotle flyer is on the facebook page.

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 in addition to supporting advocacy for laws to ensure patients can access the care and treatments they need.

On behalf of my Nana, my family and me; I thank you for your support!

On behalf of blood cancer patients and their families everywhere, we sincerely thank you for your generous support!

Lillian Patterson 

LLS Soy 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

HB 2022

For more information, please visit Facebook & Instagram LOOK OUT Leukemia or email me at lpatterson22@hb.edu