We, Clara Tolleson, Ella Floyd and McKenzie Clancy, have been nominated to run again as co-candidates in the 2024 Students Visionaries of the Year campaign in support of The Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). Student Visionaries of the Year is a seven-week leadership development program that runs from January 10th to March 2nd to raise money to help blood cancer patients not only survive but thrive after treatment. We are writing today to ask for your support of our campaign and LLS’s mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients.

Together, we have created a team of committed friends and family to partner with us on this journey. We have set a fundraising goal of $200,000! We know this is an ambitious undertaking, but we are incredibly passionate about this cause as all of our lives have been affected by blood cancers in one way or another. The money raised helps LLS, the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers, fund research to advance lifesaving treatments, drive advocacy for policies that protect patient access to these treatments, and provide patients and families with hope, guidance, education and support. Our candidate team is particularly passionate about patient support and will be representing this area of LLS during our campaign. 

LLS works tirelessly to provide hope, guidance, education, and support when it’s needed most, so no one has to face cancer alone. The financial assistance programs within LLS provide a crucial lifeline for blood cancer patients and their families. In 2021 alone, LLS provided $241 million in financial assistance to over 42,000 patients. 

Clara’s Cause: Cancer has affected everyone's lives in some way. My grandfather was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 28, in 1974. At that point in time, because of limited research and treatment options, he received radiation therapy, and they removed his spleen. The cancer returned twice after the initial diagnosis, and although he received treatment and was able to overcome Hodgkin's lymphoma, living without a spleen along with the side effects of the radiation adversely affected his health throughout his life.  Sadly, my grandfather passed away a few years ago due to an infection he couldn't fight, because his body had been through so much over the years to fight Lymphoma. I wish he would have had better treatment options so that he could still be here today. Blood cancer research is the gateway into many other forms of cancer research. This is because the blood is accessible and can be easily tested, unlike many tumors involved in other forms of cancer. I am fighting with LLS for not only my grandfather, but everyone who has been affected by blood cancer. With LLS, we are working to not only cure blood cancer, but all cancer.

Ella’s Cause: Cancer has touched the lives of many, and in my case, it struck close to home with my cousin. Shortly after turning three, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in April 2015. This type of cancer impacts the blood and bone marrow, leading to a weakened immune system. Despite enduring a challenging 36 months of chemotherapy, she maintained a positive outlook and is now leading a joyful and healthy life. The significance of this campaign is deeply personal to me, and I'm reaching out to seek your support for this cause that means so much.

Mckenzie’s Cause: Although blood cancer has not directly impacted my family, it has for many others. There are currently over a million children and adult cancer warriors battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease and myeloma in the United States alone. We all know someone dear to us who has been affected. I am passionate about raising awareness and money to help fund clinical trials, support for families, and lifesaving treatments to wipe out blood cancer. We recognize that this is a huge undertaking, but any support would be greatly appreciated to help us with our goal of getting one step closer to finishing the fight! 

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a champion for all blood cancer patients and survivors. They provide support throughout one’s entire cancer journey as well as a voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality and affordable care.

Our campaign will provide support to the critical work of LLS in hopes that one day no one will have to grow up without the ones they love. We know that with your help, we can reach our goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers. Last year, our student-led team raised over $128,000. That money went directly to helping patients survive and thrive! We are so grateful for your support, and are determined to surpass that number this year — and make an impact to help finish the fight against cancer!!!
There are several ways to make your tax-deductible contribution by March 2nd, 2024:

• Make a contribution online by visiting our campaign website: Finish The Fight, https://events.lls.org/ntx/svoyntx24/tfinishthe

• Please make checks payable to “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and print CANDIDATE, McKenzie Clancy or Ella Floyd or Clara Tolleson in the memo section. 

All donations received will support LLS’s overall mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. I thank you in advance for partnering with a campaign so close to my heart, and please remember, every bit counts.

Sincerely,
McKenzie Clancy, Ella Floyd, and Clara Tolleson

To make your donation go further—check if your company matches charitable gifts. www.lls.org/matchinggifts