I am so happy to announce that I have the opportunity to participate in the Students of the Year campaign, lasting seven weeks from January 9th to February 28th. I have gathered my friends and family to create the ultimate team to help raise money. All the money and awareness this campaign raises goes to fight blood cancer. The money we raise together within seven weeks will go to further blood cancer treatments and care for blood cancer patients. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student 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.

During this campaign I am running in honor of my grandfather who passed away from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2008. I was six at the time and though I was able to spend my first six years with him I would love for him to see me grow up as I make varsity lacrosse and go on to graduate and get married. So in honor of my grandfather I will work to raise as much money as I can until February 28th to defeat blood cancer. 

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.

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.

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

-Brody Austin