I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2023 Sacramento Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, along with my classmate and close friend, Mackenzie Back. Student Visionaries of the Year is a seven-week leadership development program that runs from March 16th to May 5th to raise money to help blood cancer patients not only survive, but thrive after treatment. I am asking for your support of our team, Cure ‘em With Kindness, and to support LLS’s mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients.

Mackenzie and I have created a team of committed friends and classmates to partner with us on this journey. Together, we have set a fundraising goal of $100,000! YES!! This is a lofty goal, but we’re confident that we can attain it with your help. The money raised helps LLS fund research to advance lifesaving treatments, drive advocacy for policies that protect patient access to these treatments, and provide patients and families with hope, guidance, education and support.

Our honored hero is 14-year-old, Austin. He was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma January of 2021. After several months of treatment, Austin went into remission in August of 2021 and will continue his treatment through June of next year to ensure no relapses. During this campaign, we will be raising funds to celebrate Austin and his incredible strength.

A little about me: I am a junior at St. Francis High School and have been involved in various sports teams since I was little. I am a part of multiple clubs within my school, I have been coaching swim team for about a year now, I serve on the Teen Council for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and I am an active member of the National Charity League (NCL). All of these opportunities have taught me great leadership skills, as well as prepared me for this campaign. I have always loved giving back to others and finding ways to help within our community. When I was asked to Co-lead an LLS team, I knew that this was something that I wanted to do, and I am excited to make a difference in these patients' lives. Our campaign will provide support to the critical work of LLS in hopes that one day no one will have to live without the ones they love. I know that with your help, we can reach our goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers. 

All donations received will support LLS’s overall mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Fundraising Event - Poker Tournament - April 21st 

Join us for the All In For A Cure Texas Hold'Em Tournament to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society *for more information, click HERE

I thank you in advance for partnering with a campaign so close to my heart, and please remember, every dollar counts. All donations and event participation are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

Sincerely, Kennedy

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