⚔️ Hi! My name is Praise Buba and I am the Team Leader Trojan fighting for the Cure! I'm involved in Midlothian High School's premiere show choir, Just For Show, and I'm a student in Midlothian's rigrous program, International Baccalaureate. I was inspired by my fellow IB student, Lauren Hensley, and my will to fulfill my purpose. Ever since visting my home of descent, Nigeria, in 2016, I vowed never to be ungrateful again. Don't get me wrong, my country was beautiful and the people were welcoming, but there were a numerous amount of people that were going through so much. I remember coming outside the airport and being bombarded by crippled people begging for money. This was terrifying but life-changing in the same way. The whole month I was there, I made sure that everytime I saw someone going throuigh it, I would give them money. I don't think I really realized the world I live in until I experienced this, and how blessed I am to be here and to have what I have. That's why I felt obligated to do the Students of the Year Campaign because I know that there are people out there suffering, while I'm here living and still complaining about it. My biggest dream is to become some kind of doctor one day. Right now, I am really interested in Spine Surgery, but over this period of time I think I might just have to make that switch to Oncology lol. Whatever I find myself doing in life, I also want to be able help my country, Nigeria, as well. When I get there, I hope to create some kind of clininc where Nigerians can get the best care that they could get possible because health systems over there are not great. The next year, in 2017, I remember walking into my dad's room happy as ever and then, he told me he needed to talk to me. He told me that he had a cancerous tumor in his back. This same tumor was suppoosedly taken out by surgery he had in Nigeria in 2013, but apparently, they didn't take all of it out, so it grew and became cancerous. I will never forget the feeling of knowing that you could lose someone to an illness that doesn't have a cure. Thank God, that same year, the tumor was fully taken out and he was cancer-free. I don't think it matters whether you have a story to tell to fight for things such as cures for cancer. I think knowing that you don't have an illness is enough to want to be able to make an impact and maybe even save someone's life. PLEASE join me in this fight by your generous donation. Every dollar counts. ⚔️

⚔️ Mollie is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! Mollie is very involved in her school. She serves as Vice President of the Red Cross Club, is involved in Indoor Band and, in fact, is in love with it, and is a student of Midlothian High School's rigorous International Baccalaureate Program. Mollie is too excited to be working with LLS this year. ⚔️

⚔️ Avnee is one of Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! Avnee is actively involved, in Tennis, Piano, and Dance. She even started her own Yoga Club at Midlothian High School with the goal of helping others achieve optimum physical, mental and spiritual well-being. She is also a student in Midlothian High School's rigorous International Baccalaureate Program. Avnee is very excited to be a member of this LLS campaign and finds pride in doing things like this especially since she has big dreams of becoming a Neurosurgeon. ⚔️

⚔️ Quentin is one of our Team member Trojans fighting for the Cure! Quentin is very involved in his school as he has leadership in his Debate Club and is involved in a lot of other clubs such as Red Cross Club and the Yoga Club. He is a also a student in Midlothian High School's rigorous International Baccalaureate Program. ⚔️

⚔️ Josue is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! Josue is actively involved at his school, Midlothian High School. He serves as Senior Class Vice President and is active in Midlothian's premiere show choir, Just For Show. He is, honestly, excited to help a great cause. He has always felt a pressure inside to constantly be doing some charity/ beneficial work for the/a community. Even though he was not able to run a campaign on his own, he is glad that he is still able to help LLS through this campaign. ⚔️

⚔️ Kat is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! She is actively involved in Midlothian High's Theatre Department. She is excited to do LLS because it helps save lives and she will be contributing to an incredible cause. Helping others is something she loves doing and that’s what LLS does! ⚔️

⚔️ Lara Ballout is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! She is actively involved in Midlothian High School theatre Department and a lot of other clubs at Midlo. Lara is also a student in Midlothian High School's rigorous International Baccalaureate program. She is very excited to be a part of this campaign and can't wait for the great things we will do. ⚔️

⚔️ Bailey Carter is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the cure! He serves as dance captain for Midlothian High School's premiere show choir, Just For Show, and has leadership in Midlothian's after school boys choir, Rhythmic Drive. Bailey is doing LLS because he think it is such an easy thing to help with and it is for such a good cause. he helped out with LLS last year and had so much fun and wanted to do it again! ⚔️ 

⚔️ Eden is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the cure! Eden is very active in the Drama Department at Midlothian High School. She is so excited to be working with LLS this year! She feels that it is an important organization that is changing our world for the better! With several members of her family having been affected by both Leukemia and Lymphoma, this cause is near and dear to her heart. ⚔️

⚔️ Kaija is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! She is very involved in Midlothian High School's GIrl Show Choir, City Lights, and many other activities. She is very excited to be working on this LLS campaign and has so many ideas. ⚔️

⚔️ Taylor is one of our Team Member Trojans fighting for the Cure! She is involved in Midlothian High School's Girl Show Choir, City Lights, and many other activites such as Girls Varsity Basketball. She is so excited to be a part of this and is full of amazing ideas. ⚔️

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.