I am honored to participate as a team member for 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 excited to raise money to help young patients who are currently battling or are in remission from a blood cancer. Each dollar that you donate is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student of the Year. Our mission is to not only raise the most money but also to bring attention to 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.

My dad, Ellis Johnson, is a survivor of Hodgkin's disease. He was diagnosed in August of 1993 while coaching football at Alabama. In December, my dad moved to Clemson and continued his treatments. That same month he completed his final chemo therapy and in March 1994 he completed his final radiation. Since then my dad has been cancer free and went on coaching and started a family. If he wouldn't have overcome his cancer, then my brothers and I would not be standing here today.

This organization is 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.

Thank you for your support!

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