WHY GIVE TO LLS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES

In these times of uncertainty, blood cancer patients and their families need our help. We’re committed to working tirelessly toward our mission each and every day. To address their unique concerns, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will amplify our efforts to share information and provide support to blood cancer patients during this pandemic. 

In fact, blood cancer patients are at higher risk of getting very sick from the coronavirus COVID-19. Patients, caregivers, and families might be facing added uncertainty, fear, and stress while navigating their or their loved one’s diagnosis and treatment. LLS is here to help. As the leading source of free blood cancer information, education, and support, we are committed to blood cancer patients and their families throughout their entire cancer experience. When you give to LLS, you make an impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families when it’s needed most.

LLS is a global leader in the fight to end cancer. With more than $283.9 million invested in our mission in FY19, we are relentless about bolstering research, education and support, and policy and advocacy efforts that put blood cancer patients and their families first. Since the 1960s, survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled. That’s the power of the LLS mission. With your support, we press on with unwavering dedication. 

Hi! My name is Alexis Merriman, and I believe that individual people have the power to make a change in our world. As a senior in high school, I find myself planning for the future. However, I wonder to myself, “How can I plan for the future when I don’t know what it holds”. I believe that everyone should have the ability to have confidence and excitement about their future, yet not everyone has that luxury.   

My father, Brian Merriman, was one of the most humble, kind, generous, professional, and honorable people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. In April of 2012, my father was diagnosed with Low-Grade B cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Being the rock of my family, no one knew what to do or how to deal with this diagnosis. We only knew that if we were together, then everything would be okay. With an aggressive and successful treatment plan, he was in remission within 3 months.

Shortly after, my father was diagnosed, again, with Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Sadly, after 2 years of honorably fighting his battle, he passes away from complications of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was only twelve at the time of his passing, but I did not need age to be able to tell that I had been gifted with one amazing father. 

One of the most valuable gifts he ever gave me was the drive to want to help others. No matter what he had going on in his life, he would never pass up an opportunity to help someone without even being asked. I remember one day in the middle of his diagnosis I asked, “Would you give your cancer to someone else if you could?”, and he responded, “I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy”.  

The responsibility that we have to help other people is nothing short of a blessing. Together we can do anything and make a difference. One saying I hold close to my heart is “I am my brother’s keeper”. We all have the choice to help others, and that is exactly why I have accepted the challenge of running in the Upstate 2020 Students for a Cure Campaign. I hope you’ll join me in creating a future where no man, woman, or child ever has to hear “You have cancer”.

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

Thank you in advance for your generosity, and for helping me find a cure for cancer. 

-Alexis Merriman 

2018 South Carolina Student of the Year

2020 Upstate Students for a Cure Candidate 

*My Dad and I (2012)