I am honored and excited to be nominated to participate in the Students Visionary of the Year campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. During a 7- week campaign, starting on January 12, 2023, and ending March 4, my team and I are committed to helping save lives by raising as much money as we can to fund research to find cures for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, and Myeloma. LLS supports research, along with treatments, and valuable support for patients and families as they battle blood cancers. I will be working tirelessly for the next few months in honor of my family and grandmother as she battles Lymphoma. 

My grandmother was diagnosed with Lymphoma shortly after thanksgiving last year. She is in the middle of her battle now, and I have never been more proud of someone, as she has always been one of the strongest women I know. Grandmother welcomed me into her family when I was 3 when my mother first met my stepfather, and the love never stopped. She treated me as her own granddaughter, playing with me, taking me swimming, and telling me stories. Even as I watch her get more and more sick, I am proud to say that I can focus on her humor and kindness, which I will treasure for the rest of my life. Although I have been watching this story unfold from a distance, seeing cancer tear apart my family has made me determined to make a difference. I know I am not the only one with a story of this sort, which is why I am participating in this campaign. 

We are closer to a cure than ever, and LLS has made outstanding efforts in the treatment of blood cancers thus far and will continue to do so.  Not only is the organization supporting blood cancers, but also other diseases such as Parkinson’s, Diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Join me in this fight and let's change the story for millions of families!  

Remember this, every dollar counts, no contribution is too small, and above all, your donation is a step towards a cancer-free world! Let’s start the new year with hope and I thank you so much for your support.