My name is Megan Michaels and I am a junior at Calvary Christian High School. Currently, I am working on the “Golden Group” team for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student of the Year campaign. For seven weeks, starting January 17th, 2019, my team, lead by the Academy of the Holy Names Juniors Katelyn Chau and Lauren Jones, will be raising awareness for the research, programs, and advocacy being conducted through the LLS. All of this is only possible through your support in the form of both donations and sponsorships. With your unwavering compassion, my team, alongside students from across the country, have the opportunity to beat blood cancer once and for all.

I got involved in this campaign because of the passion formed within me after seeing the impact of cancer on many people in my life. While growing up, several family members, peers, and mentors of mine have struggled with the endurance of cancer treatment and I am blessed to say the triumph of defeating cancer as well. A peer of mine was diagnosed with brain cancer at a young age and was blessed by God’s grace to be here today. After his fight, I have seen him step up to raise awareness and money to fund for treatment and support those who are still fighting. However, it should not always be a survivor’s responsibility to make these changes. I believe that everyone, whether directly impacted by such a life-changing disease or not, should give their own time and effort to those who need it most. Therefore, when I was presented with this amazing opportunity to step up, I immediately took it. I have committed to put in the effort to help unite a community in defense against cancer, in all hopes that one day a cure will come and everyone will have the ability to feel the joy of defeating such a destructive part of life. 
 

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.