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Welcome to my fundraising page, my name is Shyla! This year my twin sister, Sascha and I decided to join the 2021 Students of the Year campaign as co-candidates in support of the many friends, family, and people affected by cancer. Currently, I am a senior at The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas. I participate on my high school's Speech and Debate Team and UIL Current Events Team. I love to volunteer and spend time with my friends and family. I plan on majoring in Political Science/Government in college next fall and hope to attend law school in the near future. Since June, I have been given the opportunity to help others through the LLS Students of the Year campaign. I realize how fortunate I am to currently be healthy and strong. Over course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several people in my life were diagnosed with cancer.  Approximately every 3 minutes, one person is diagnosed in the United States with a blood cancer, and every 9 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. Researchers have estimated that in 2020, 178,520 people will be diagnosed with some type of blood cancer. Fighting for your life and seeing somebody fight for their life is something that nobody should ever have to go through. 

As a child, cancer was something that I had not put much focus on even though it is constantly around me. When someone brought up the word "cancer," I understood that there was a negative connotation associated with it, but I truly did not know the devastating implications. In 2013, my grandmother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After seeing the mental and physical strain it put on my grandmother and my family, I hoped and prayed that we never have to go through something like that again. Last year, my grandfather was diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer. Once again, cancer had impacted my family and we were doing our best to fight it. I am fortunate enough to say that both of my grandparents have successfully fought cancer, but I understand that nearly half a million people die of cancer every year in the United States. 

Today, Leukemia is the most prevelant cancer in children, with brain cancer being the deadlist pediatric cancer. I am extremely grateful to be a part of such an amazing campaign and organization this year. For decades, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been helping people with blood cancer, and those affected by cancer since 1949. So far, they have helped advance 57 of the 66 blood cancer treatment options approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration since 2017. Through their hardwork and determination, LLS has funded drug research for several other cancers experienced by millions of humans.

I am excited to continue my work with LLS, and I hope that by sharing some of my experiences with cancer, you will donate to this amazing cause. Your donations will help fund several therapies and treatments and save lives in the future. LLS's continued efforts over the years are responsible for the blood cancer survival rate doubling and tripling; in some cases, the survival rate has even quadrupled. And many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers. They are even being tested in clinical trials for patients with a range of cancers including lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. LLS-funded drugs are now being tested for patients with other non-cancerous diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer! All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They will not only support cancer research but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.

Please visit my Web site as often as possible and forward to your family and friends who would also like to donate!

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere I thank you for your support!

For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org