I am honored to participate in the 2019 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 am proud to be raising critical dollars in honor of a young patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) of the Year. Our mission is to not only raise the most money but also to bring attention to blood cancers like leukemia, which is the most common form of cancer in children and teens.

Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. And many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are helping patients with other cancers and serious diseases. In fact, drugs first approved for blood cancers are now approved to treat patients with stomach cancers, skin cancers, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

Many of us have someone we love inflicted by cancer. I started preparing for this campaign because I am very close to my Aunt, Marnie Klein, who was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 31. She underwent treatment with my cousin, Dr. Morton Coleman who is one of the leading experts in the field of blood cancers. After crushing cancer, Marnie has been fortunate to live a wonderful life: she married my Uncle Jeff, gave birth to my cousin Buddy and is an important part of my life every single day. I am grateful for my Aunt Marnie’s good health and eager to give back.

During the course of preparing for my campaign – I am sad to share that a new reason emerged for why I NEED to do Students of the Year. This fall my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I am thankful for the opportunity to do everything I can to help support this important organization that is leading the way to crush cancer NOW!  I was already signed on for Students of the Year when my family got hit with this news, and now I am more dedicated than ever to direct my energy to finding solutions and helping as much as I can.

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.