My name is Joshua Henderson and I have been nominated as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2020 Students of the Year. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest nonprofit fighting blood cancer. I have the prestigious honor of competing in a short, 7-week campaign to raise as much money for this wonderful organization through the help of my community, family, and friends.

I am a junior at River Springs Charter. My goal before I graduate high school is to contribute to my community as much as possible, while also building my character. In addition to my involvement in the LLS program, I have volunteered at the BNP Paribas Open as a sparring partner to the professional players for the past 2 years. I am a highly recruited tennis athlete with aspirations to play Division 1 College Tennis. I intend to pursue a military career in the United States Military after graduating from college. My pursuit for a career in the military inspired my team name, Desert Cavalry Regiment. 

My motivation for this campaign comes through one of my closest friends, Miss Stiles. Miss Stiles’s father was diagnosed with Meningioma, a type of brain cancer, in September of 2019. He passed away shortly after. In February of 2020, Miss Stiles was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia. When I heard this news, I could not help but think of a way to help her and her family. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides me an opportunity to help my friend in need. I want to be able to provide her and her family the glimmer of hope that they so desperately need in these dark times. 

I am asking you for your support of Desert Cavalry Regiment by making a donation to LLS and helping us reach our goal of $10,000 in these short 7 weeks starting April 3, 2020, until May 22, 2020! With your generous donation, you will not only be contributing to my personal goal of helping my friend in need, but you will also be helping so many other individuals and families that are fighting blood-related cancers!

Desert Cavalry Regiment is dedicated to helping raise money to find a cure, and we thank you for your efforts to fight blood-related cancers!

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