Hi! Thank you so much for visiting my fundraising page for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society!

My name is Sophia Durston, I am 16 years old and am a junior at Gulf Coast High School. I am a third year member on my schools dance team and am a member of Model United Nations. I could not be more thrilled to be a part of the Students of the Year campaign.

When I was first introduced to LLS, I knew right away I had to be a member of the students of the year campaign for a few very important reasons. First, my aunt was diagnosed with Leukemia and very unfortunately passed away from it while only in her 50s. This was devestating for my whole family because of how amazing of a person she was. With this in mind, I know how difficult it can be to a lose a loved one to a disease such as leukemia and want to be able to help as many people as I possibly can by raising money for this amazing cause. The Leukemia Lymphoma Society is a global leader in the fight against cancer and I know that running in this campaign will truly help so many people who are suffering.

If you are able to make a donation to this wonderful cause, I would be so greatful!  

Keeping this statement in mind, ANY size donation is substantially appreciated. My team Sophia's Savers goal is to raise $25,000 throughout the duration of this campaign. With your help this WILL be accomplished and we will put an end to blood cancer. 

Sincerely,

Sophia D

I am honored to participate as a candidate in the 2020 SWFL 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 have chosen to run for Student of the Year because of how important the goals of LLS are to me. I feel so fortunate every day that I am healthy and have had a normal childhood. With that being said, it breaks my heart to see children who are not as lucky as I have been and I feel it is so important to help them in any way that I can. Each dollar is a vote. The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student 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.

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.