Hi! My name is Maria Paula Villarreal Botello. I am 15 years old, and I am a sophmore at Antonian College Preparatory in San Antonio, Tx. This year I am proud and honored to lead my team, TACO BOUT A CURE! With my team I lookl forward to bringing hope to our cancer patients, their families, and medical teams to find a cure for Blood Cancers.

     When I was younger, my grandfather battled cancer and shortly passed away because his cancer had spread and there was no treatment that could reverse the damage cancer had done. Even though I was young, I still remember how devastated my mom and all my family was and the hurt cancer had caused my family. We still miss my grandpa today.                  

     Also, My best friend battled cancer, and while he and his family had a really hard time for a while, he always had the biggest smile on his face. Even though we were both young and in 5th grade, he came to be my biggest inspiration. Fortunately, he is in good health today. But no one should have to experience this illness. This is why I decided to get involved in LLS so we can help our researchers advance the treatment options for cancer patients and give them an opportunity to keep living. I will be meeting with business people about sponsorships and hold events to raise money for LLS. All of which will fund research, support patients and families, and drive advocacy. This will all be through a 7-week philanthropic leadership competition called Student Visionaries of the Year.

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.
They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers.

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please visit my website often and tell friends who would also like to donate!

Thanks to your support, my efforts will help ensure this generation is the last to see cancer.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you!

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