Blood cancer is a battle that many people are forced to fight, and the lack of cures and answers can be overwhelming, frightening, and devastating. Volunteering in the Oncology Unit at Providence St. Vincent's Hospital has opened my eyes to just how devastating these diagnoses can be. Living with such uncertainty is frightening, and it is heartbreaking to watch. These illnesses not only affect the physical aspect of life but also the mental aspect. I strongly believe that with the right support, we can better understand blood cancers and make more treatment options available for patients. Being a part of Team Committed to a Cure is incredibly important to me, as I believe nobody deserves to live in fear or pain.

I’ve been selected as a Team Member in a leadership development program to help 1.5 million Americans who are living with blood cancer. My campaign team, team Committed to a Cure, and I are competing in the 2025 Portland Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. We recently kicked off our 7-week journey from March 6, 2025, to April 25, 2025, to help LLS raise money and achieve its mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.   

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.  

Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $15,000 and have chosen research as the LLS mission pillar to represent throughout our campaign. My personal goal is to raise $1,000 in support of our team.    

Money raised helps LLS, the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers, advance initiatives like funding cutting-edge research and treatments. LLS has invested more than $1.7 billion in cancer research since 1949, leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine that are improving and saving patients’ lives. 

I appreciate your support. 

Jane Halme

2025 Student Visionaries of the Year Team Member

PS: Make your donation go further and check to see if your company matches donations!  https://www.lls.org/matchinggifts