I am honored to participate as a team member 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, Taylor, who is currently battling blood cancer. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that earns the most votes at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) of the Year. The mission of Team Tooley is to not only raise the most money, but most importantly, to bring attention to blood cancers like leukemia, which is the most common form of cancer in children and teens.

I chose to join Team Tooley to honor friends who have suffered through cancer. The struggle that is endured by these individuals and their family members is hard, physically and emotionally. But even in the hardest of times, they don't let fear overtake them, and they choose to fight. I CHOOSE TO FIGHT WITH THEM! This horrible obstacle is all too common, but I believe with enough support, it can be conquered. 

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. 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.