Hi! I'm Vania Pala. A sophomore from Carlmont High School. 

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.

Why did I join this Campaign? I joined this campaign because of my love of being part of something bigger and universal that helps every person on this planet, and cancer is a deeply impactful issue that touches the lives of many.

Growing up, I'd always considered myself fortunate not to have been closely affected by cancer, except hearing my dad talk about losing 3 siblings to Leukemia. I didn't know much about it, just that it was "sad." However, everything changed when I was nine years old, and my new friend, who'd just moved to my school, had a five-year-old sister struggling with cancer. Three months later, her sister passed away. 

Nine-year-old me couldn't fully grasp the profound tragedy this was, but I'll never forget the pain in the audience when I attended this little girl's celebration of life. I remember the crying, the audience's somber faces, and the atmosphere's pure sorrow that day. I felt like an outsider, struggling to comprehend the loss of this vibrant little girl. I'd never met her, but I couldn't believe the tiny little girl my mom had described was gone. My friend's sister was gone. A little girl whose innocent and bright artwork was on display at the school where the event occurred was gone.

I can't begin to imagine how many other families go through this grief cycle losing children, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and people close to them. My own father's family knows this pain all too well. All siblings were under the age of ten, at two, six, and eight years old, when cancer took their lives. His family was torn apart, and years of cherished memories spent with his family were stolen from him because of blood cancer's impact. In their memory, my family has dedicated ourselves to supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in their tireless mission to conquer these diseases and provide support by raising research and patient support funds for those facing similar battles. 

As a candidate for the Silicon Valley Student Visionaries of the Year Program, I plan to support at least one family through my efforts. To save as many young children as possible who shouldn't have their lives stolen because of cancer. Ultimately making a small difference and contributing to eliminating this disease once and for all.

To accomplish this ambitious objective, I’ll need YOUR help in pursuing OUR collective goal to eradicate blood cancer permanently. Over the years, support from people like you has been responsible for the blood cancer advancements that have doubled, tripled, and in some cases quadrupled the survival rate for some blood cancers. We can grant blood cancer patients the invaluable gift of hope and the promise of a bright future.

Please consider joining this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible.

Donations will not only support LLS research, but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.

Have you ever heard the saying "When you die you are remembered for two things, (1.) Who you were and (2.) What you contributed to the world?"

So, let's change the world together by making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by blood cancer. Let’s collaborate in this vital mission, to bring us closer to the day when blood cancer is no longer a threat, and every patient can look forward to a healthier and brighter tomorrow. 

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!

🎯 Team Goal: $75,000

📅 Timeline: 1 week 

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