Dear Friends and Family,

Every three minutes, an individual is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. Every nine minutes, another dies from it. When this destructive form of disease can affect countless numbers of family members, friends, and familiar faces, it’s daunting for us to realize that a large amount of the population is still passing the time, turning minutes into more statistics. It’s time to stop the clock.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is on a mission to combat this menace that currently affects millions; they have invested over $1.3 billion into breakthrough research, patient support, and education & advocacy to the general public. To further these efforts, LLS has launched the Student of the Year campaign, which annually calls upon the efforts of high school students across the country to lead their communities in the fight against Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. I am proud to announce that I was selected as candidate for the 2020 Student of the Year campaign! Our team, Hope for a Cure, is the first team to represent Mater Dei Catholic High School and we need your help to break records!

This cause is very close to my heart. Last year my grandfather passed away from stage four pancreatic cancer. Witnessing the emotional and physical battle he went through every day is what inspired me to join the cause. In fact, the “A” in our team name Hope for A Cure, stands for Abelardo, my grandfather’s name. Although he did not suffer from blood cancer, I am choosing to support LLS because the treatments they have developed are now helping patients with other cancers and diseases. Through my grandfather’s sickness, I learned that our lives can take immediate turns. Having people to count on for support during difficult times is the key to overcoming any battle. If I can be that figure of strength in someone’s life, I am determined to be so. I am confident that joining this competition is what my grandfather would have wanted me to do to overcome his passing away. And as I present my project to potential donors, I feel my grandpa holding my hand every step of the way. It was too late for my grandfather, but it is not too late for others, and I am prepared to help them.

We need your help. LLS needs your help. But more importantly, the 1.2 million blood cancer patients and 15 million suffering from other forms of cancer need your help. That is why we are committed to our goal of raising as much money as we can in these 7 weeks.

But don’t stop with a donation- we urge you to mobilize your communities, families, and workplaces. Let everyone you know be a part of the incredible work that LLS is doing to alter the course of blood cancer research. Do it now, in the moment, because there is no time to waste when each minute translates to someone’s life. Don’t watch the time pass, but rather help us develop a cure that will last a lifetime. Help us stop the clock and fund the cure.

Sincerely,

Mariam Sanchez, Student of the Year Candidate