My name is Sydney Kessler and I am participating in the Student of the Year competition for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Student of the Year (SOY) is a leadership program that LLS offers high school students an opportunity to join the fight to cure cancer. This is a cause that means a lot to me. My grandmother, Gloria Kessler passed away from Leukemia in 2017 when I was 11 years old. I have many fond memories of ‘Grandma GG’, but she was unfairly taken from my life. 

My dad has been involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society since 2001.  He has raised tens of thousands of dollars that funded research to create drugs that treat this disease; The money raised also supports direct patient care as well as helps support families of those who are going through cancer treatments.  The drug Gleevec was 100% funded through the support of people like my dad raising money for LLS.  Gleevec is a revolutionary drug that treats Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and many other chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.  This drug gave my grandma six bonus years with me after she was diagnosed with CML.

I miss her and think about her every day.  I have a goal to raise $80,000 that will hopefully help cure this devastating illness.  If I can help a single person, a single family, a single 11 year old to not have to suffer the loss like I did, my SOY campaign will have meaning. 

The Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s mission is to rid the world of not only blood cancers, but all other cancers as well. Since 2017, LLS has helped advance over 85% of FDA approved treatments for blood cancers. But, in the past 40 years, only 4 of those treatments were created for children. This year, LLS’s focus is to help support more research for treatments that will help children who are afflicted with various forms of cancer. 

Recently, I met our team hero, Jalen Thompson,  who is 11 years old.  When he was 7, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and was in the hospital for several months fighting for his life.  He shared his story with me last month and it strengthened my reasons to end this horrifying disease. He is so lucky to be alive.  The LLS supported him and his family throughout his treatment. 

I ask you to join my fight against cancer and help me reach my goal of $80,000. 

If you or someone you know is fighting cancer…

If you had someone in your life who lost the battle to cancer…

If you have not been directly affected by cancer and want to support this cause…

Please donate -  EVERY DOLLAR HELPS!

Thank you in advance for your support.