My name is Payton Mehalick and I am a current Senior at Queensbury High School in New York. I decided to lead our team ADK Cares this year alongside my fellow classmate, William Pratt, in order to help raise money for local families affected by cancer. Over the next 7 weeks we will be working to raise as much as possible in order to provide funds for further research, medical bills, and providing a platform for individuals to rely on. Every dollar raise is a vote for our campaign to become Students of the Year. We need your help!

As you know, everyone wins when cancer loses. This year I have dedicated my efforts in fundraising in honor of my late Grandfather, Steve Maxwell. Cancer has had a long run in my family, starting far before I was born. My Grandfather Steve fell victim to stomach cancer, or Adenocarcinoma in his stomach, 10 years before I was born. He left behind a wife and 3 daughters (my Mother included). My only memory of my Grandfather is what I have been told through stories and pictures. I hope that through my efforts in raising money through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that one day, we as people will not have to experience the loss of someone close to us as a result of cancer; That one day, cancer will be treatable. 

Many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but are also now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin cancers and are in clinical trials for patients with lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. And LLS-funded drugs like targeted therapies and immunotherapies are now saving thousands of lives every day.

All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. They'll not only support LLS research, but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.

Please visit my website often and tell 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