2020 has been a year when millions of people received awful news about a loved one who was suffering or even dying from a terrible illness. But this isn’t about this crazy year or the people stricken by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We’ve seen our healthcare providers rise to help Americans face this incredible challenge and as I look to my own future as a college student and beyond, I’ve been thinking about how I can make a difference that matters.

I have taken the opportunity of a lifetime to help more than a million Americans who are currently fighting cancer of the blood or lymph nodes. It is likely that you have a friend or family member who has died from cancer. 

I was inspired to get involved by my cousin, Sofia, who was diagnosed with bone cancer at the same age I am now. As a 16-year-old, I can only imagine how much courage it took her to remain positive as she had to leave her friends, high school and move to a different country in order to receive the treatment she needed to battle her sickness. My efforts now are to help more people like Sofia have a better chance of living a full, cancer free life.

Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Palm Beach Chapter launches its fundraising campaign and I am leading a team. I want to make a difference and I ask for your support. 

LLS’s mission is to find cures for blood cancers and to assist patients and families as they fight leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease or myeloma. 40% of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA since 2000 were first approved to treat blood cancers, and I can think of no better way to help advance this life changing medicine than to work as hard I can so LLS can continue their groundbreaking discoveries. Finding effective new treatments requires funding.

Of course, any monetary donation to my fundraising website is highly appreciated!

As cliché as it sounds, every little bit helps! My team's fundraising goal is $50,000 and one hundred percent of funds raised towards this campaign will go directly to the effort of saving lives. 

I thank you in advance for supporting all people like Sofia who have to go through this type of life altering journey. 

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

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