Did you know that every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and more than 33% of the patients do not survive five years after diagnosis? An even more astonishing fact, over 1.2 million people are living or in remission from blood cancers. This number means that almost everyone can be affected by cancer at one point in their lives - whether it is their family, friends, or themselves. I want those numbers to change, and with the help of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, that is what I intend to do.

My name is Grace Garner, and I am currently a Junior at Fall River High School. Two years ago I started babysitting Austin, now 10 years old and a five-year leukemia survivor. I would never have envisioned the impact of knowing him and his family would have on me.  Hearing his story opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a difference, and that is why I have accepted my nomination to run for 2019 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year. The goal of my campaign is to raise $20,000 which goes to research, co-pay assistance, educational opportunities, and support groups that all help improve the quality of life for patients and their families. With the help of my team, The Fall River Fighters, we plan to accomplish this goal to assist with life saving funds for many others like Austin.

At the age of two, Austin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He spent much of his childhood in the hospital setting enduring chemotherapy, radiation, lumbar punctures and bone marrow biopsies. His cancer came back while on treatment and his only chance of  survival was a bone marrow transplant. He went through the painful process of transplant only to relapse 2 months later. Now with a less than 20% chance of survival and only hope left, his family prayed that he qualified for a treatment called immunotherapy in which LLS helped fund, giving over $21 million to Dr. Carl June. Without that funding, the research to develop that treatment would not have been there at the time Austin and his family needed it.

Currently, Austin is a happy, healthy, cancer-free fourth grader who attends Fall River School. His family and friends are thankful for the LLS funding and support. Without it, he truly would not be alive. He has fought cancer most of his life and to me, he is a true Fall River Fighter. As a Type I diabetic, I can relate to being in the hospital and know what it’s like to depend on research and treatments to keep me alive. Austin and I have bonded over that and his strength in fighting has made me want to help make a difference for others like him.

A tax deductible donation to  LLS helps researchers find a cure and helps improve the lives of patients and their families and literally can give people second chances at life.

You can do so online at https://events.lls.org/wi/madisonsoy19/ggarner or by mail no later than March 14th.

A cure can be found for millions, but it needs help from more than just LLS. Are you willing to help me make a difference?  Thank you for your support and consideration.

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.