Hello everyone! 

I was asked to join the team Tigers Together to work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), with the purpose to raise funds for the “Student of the Year” campaign. My team and I will strive to make a difference in blood cancer research by raising money to help those suffering in and around the country. The competition will start on January 9, 2021, and will end on February 27, 2021. Our team, Tigers Together, is to reach our stretch goal of $20,000. 

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been working to raise money since 1949. Since then, the LLS has generated around $1.3 billion dollars to conduct research to better help those battling cancer. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has also paved the way to new research to help improve blood cancer treatments. Blood cancers affect both children and adults and account for almost 10% of new cancer cases in the U.S. each year. That means approximately 178,520 people will be diagnosed with a blood cancer this year. However, LLS has worked tirelessly in its efforts to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. Addtionally, LLS has contributed to advancing 57 of 66 FDA-approved blood cancer treatments since 2017. The Leukemia Lymphoma Society helps to improve the lives of those cured, alongside those that still have their battle ahead of them.

This cause is also personal to me, for family members and friends around me have been diagnosed with blood cancer. One of my close friends was diagnosed with Leukemia in my freshman year of high school. Through Julius(pictured below), I was able to see the tough battle so many face in our country. It’s truly disheartening to lose the simple pleasures of talking with and seeing a friend you used to see on a day to day basis. Fortunately, Julius fought with everything he had and entered remission a couple years ago. Due to his battle, he was behind on almost everything, be it academic or social life. Yet, he exemplified the positive mindset to take on the cards he was dealt. He pushed and pushed and worked his way back to his normal daily routine. From the outside, a stranger would never know the battle Julius went through, and his will power still inspires me. A year ago, a close family friend was diagnosed with cancer. Although I was more disconnected in this situation, it still hurt to hear of the struggles in their battle with cancer. The most we can do is offer our support  and be there for the people struggling in their fight.

Through these two experiences, I saw how life changing a battle with blood cancer can be. The news is life changing and forever causes ripples in one’s life. Because of what I’ve witnessed, I hope to positively impact the lives of cancer patients in whatever way I can. With donations to further the world’s research, we can help rid the world of this life-changing disease. With your help, we can make a difference with this battle against cancer and be a part of changing someone's life.

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

(I am on the left, while my friend Julius who battled cancer is on the right).