I am so proud of this opportunity to do something meaningful, help others and honor the memory of my grandfather, Jon A Triplett. When I was approached to consider this, I was a little nervous that I might not make my goal. My mom and I discussed it at length. As an athlete, falling short just isn't an option that I ever want to consider and so I give it my ALL in everything that I do. But the reality is, this is so much more than a goal or challenge to me. I wanted to make a difference and I know that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is doing just that... making a difference. A week after accepting the challenge, my grandfather passed away. It became much more personal to me VERY quickly. This gives me a chance to honor someone that I grew up with and love very much. I know he would be so proud of me for attempting this and know he will be supporting me with this goal just as he always was cheering for my baseball teams from his lawn chair parked behind home plate. I am thankful to LLS for including me and giving me a chance to work with my childhood best friend Harrison Licata who also has very special reasons for accepting this challenge. I am thankful to YOU for clicking on the link or scanning the QR code and donating to this worthy cause. Thank you for helping us find a cure for cancer!

I am honored to participate 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 who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) 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.

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.