We, Shada Giornazi and Annalee Miner, are both so honored to participate as co-candidates for the 2020 Students of the Year Program. This is 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. 

We are both dedicated to raising critical dollars in honor of this year's honored hero, Izzy Kerr. When Izzy was 3 years old she was diagnosed with leukemia. She has been cancer-free for 10 years! Izzy is in the 10th grade at Smoky Hill High School and plays cello, swims and loves art. 

Each dollar donated is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money by February 28th is named the Student of the Year. Our goal is to not only raise money but to raise awareness of 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!

All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible. Help us reach our goal of $50,000. 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.