I want cancer to be history. I want kids to grow up knowing their grandparents - learning from them, laughing with them, understanding their family history, staying up past their bedtime and having ice cream - having endless snuggles that you never forget.

5 years ago, on January 20^th, 2019, my grandmother, Martha Kelly, lost her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). I was able to spend 12 years of my life with her creating memories that will last forever but I miss her and wish she was still here.  I hope to honor these memories by making a huge difference…creating a world without cancer!

As many of you know, my family became involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in 2018 when my dad ran for, and won, Man of the Year in San Diego. In addition, my sister Gianna ran for Student Visionary of the year in 2020 and her team raised over $60,000 in honor of my Grandma. It was amazing to watch the love in our community, their support of my grandmother, and to watch my family members to selflessly volunteer in support of blood cancer research and cures. Since then we’ve worked closely with LLS.  It is now MY turn to lead the fight against cancer, and I’m proud to announce that I was selected to be a candidate for the 2024 Student Visionaries of the Year campaign.

I will be competing among other student-led teams from across San Diego and the country. I’m honored to be working alongside these other student leaders as we raise awareness, money and hope for those battling the disease and to create cures so those diagnosed with blood cancer in the future can win their battle.

I am running not only in honor of my Grandma, and to find a cure for blood cancer, but more importantly so no child has to go through life without a grandparent or losing one too soon. To that end, I am once again running as: Team M.O.M. (Miracle of Martha) which was the name of my dad’s team. 😊

For my campaign I have chosen the LLS pillar of Patient Support and Education. By supporting this pillar, we will provide patients and families with hope, guidance, education and support during their blood cancer journey. I am particularly passionate about this as I know how scary a cancer diagnosis can be and knowing you have an organization to help you every step is invaluable to all families affected by this disease.

Some facts about blood cancer and LLS you may not know:

• Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. More than 1.4 million people are living with or in remission from Leukemia, Myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease
• LLS has invested more than $1.3 billion into blood cancer research & provides financial support to patients

We have set a large goal and I only have 7 weeks to make it! Not only does each donation help find a cure for blood cancer, but it also helps us towards taking home the coveted title of Student Visionary of the Year in San Diego! The winner will be announced on March 15th at the grand finale at Balboa Park's Air & Space Museum. 

I would greatly appreciate it if you would support my efforts by donating to my fundraising website. Every dollar you donate makes a difference.

DONATE TODAY!