Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters:

    Today, 1.2 million Americans are fighting or are in remission from blood cancers. Every three minutes, another person unwillingly joins the fight. Sadly, every nine minutes an individual dies from this type of cancer.

    On July 21, 2018, the impact of leukemia became very real to my family and me. My sister, Tristan Kanoe Miyuki Fisher, was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia), one of the more rare forms of blood cancers. After three blood transfusions, and almost a week in the hospital, we all began to process and understand the magnitude of this disease. My sister has always been healthy in mind, body, and spirit, however, CML brought her to her knees. It seemed as if the rug was pulled out from all of us, our world turned upside down. It's been almost a full year and Kanoe has been managing CML through daily chemo medication and its side effects. It has been hard to watch her go through this, but we stand by her throughout this journey. My sister's fight has become our fight!

    I have been given an incredible and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help make a difference. I was chosen to be a part of the 2019 Student of the Year campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). This campaign is a nationwide program held annually to raise funds directed towards research, advocacy, and support of patients and their families. Ultimately, the goal of the LLS is to one day find a cure.

    Please help support our campaign. Our goal for Fight for Smiles is to raise money during the seven week campaign from March 29, 2019 to May 17, 2019. It would mean a lot to me if you would consider donating to our campaign on behalf of  everyone who is struggling with blood cancer. To donate online, or to learn more about our campaign, please visit our fundraising website: https://events.lls.org/sd/honosoy19/Kalai checks may also be addressed to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please note my name "Kalaʻi Fisher" in the memo section and mail to 525-3 Pepeekeo St. ;Honolulu, HI, 96825.

    Thank you for helping our team fight against blood cancer! I am grateful for your support towards this worthwhile cause. Large or small, your contribution will be greatly appreciated and will make a difference! I will keep you posted on my progress throughout this campaign and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Help us Fight for Smiles! Help us one day find a cure!

"When someone has cancer, the whole family and everyone who loves them does, too." - Terri Clark

Sincerely,

Kalaʻi Fisher 

2019 Student of the Year Candidate Team Member 

If you have any questions, please email bradafisha@gmail.com or call (808) 927-9043 for more information.

LLS is 501(c)3 non-profit and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Does your company match donations?