Visionaries look to the future – and see infinite possibility.
They challenge the status quo – and make the impossible possible.
They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on that same vision – of a better world – one without blood cancers.

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help.

As the years pass, I don’t remember as much, but my mom and pictures remind me that I was an identical twin… 

I remember watching Marvel movies with Evan (he was Ironman and I was Captain America); playing with Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Angry Birds; building lego sets; fighting over the same Thomas the Tank Engines (even if we had two of the exact same ones); and making friends with a gargoyle named Buddy.

This part I don’t remember…  We were on our weekly outing to Pike Place Market with our daycare class when Evan had trouble walking.  Soon after, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Although the doctors told our parents that the survival rate was high for children with the type of ALL he had, Evan passed away a month before we were supposed to start kindergarten.

I have been volunteering with LLS for the past several years at their Light the Night, Firefighters Stairclimb and Big Climb events, and wanted to do more.  

This year, I’m proud to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.  And, to honor Evan.

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Please consider joining me in this fight by making a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. Please tell friends who would also like to donate.

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, and in memory of Evan and my dad, thank you!

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