I am honored to participate as a candidate for the 2020 Students of the Year program, a seven-week initiative in which select high school students from around the country participate in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

I have created a team of committed friends and family to partner with me on this journey. I am reaching out to you hoping you can join me. All the money that is raised goes directly to the largest blood cancer research program in the nation, LLS, to fund cutting-edge research and treatments. In fact, the treatments that LLS is funding benefit non-blood cancer patients too. More than 40% of new cancer treatment drugs approved by the FDA since 2004 started as blood cancer drugs are now being applied in other forms of cancer. 

Blood cancers have impacted my family, through my Uncle Chuck’s diagnosis 6 years ago. Then again my family and friends were affected when my close family friend and basketball coach was diagnosed 2 years later. However, thanks to research and access to better treatments, survival rates for many blood cancer patients have quadrupled since 1960. And my Uncle and Coach are among the lucky survivors. My 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. I know that with your help, I can reach my goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers.  

We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

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, and support advocacy for laws to ensure patients can access the care and treatments they need.

Please visit our website often and bring friends who would also like to donate!

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support!

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

Sincerely,

Erin Heffner