Hello! 

My name is Khadijah Dhoondia and I am a sophomore at PHS. Last year, I was a member of Paige Foster's Team, and I am so honored to be nominated as a candidate for this year's Students of the Year Campaign. Aside from LLS, I am involved in Cross Country, Track, Model UN, Girl Scouts, Piano, FBLA, and Public Speaking. Overall, I am so excited to be working with my team and co-candidate, Emily Groszczyk, to advocate for this incredible cause!

The motivation for my campaign is my grandpa. He passed away in the cancer ward before I was born, and the doctors were unaware of how to treat him. This was at a time where knowledge about cancer was limited. Now, because of organizations like the LLS, people are more aware and more actions are being taken to ensure swift treatment. I am fundraising not only to honor his legacy, but also for the individuals who are currently impacted by cancer, and for a future where no one has to experience such a loss. 

My hope is that no other family will have to go through the pain of losing a mother, father, child, or friend to cancer. I would rather be creating memories with the people I love than have them recounted back to me years later. The legacy of those in my life who have fought cancer, sometimes not always winning that battle, is my inspiration for being apart of LLS. Their legacy is our inspiration, but longevity is our motivation in this campaign.

Thank you so much for supporting our team as we raise awareness and work towards our fundraising goal of $20,000! For more updates regarding our work, you are welcome to check back on our team page as well. You are TRULY making a difference in the lives of people affected by blood cancers; never forget how every dollar counts and how much of an impact you have.

-Khadijah

(My co-candidate, Emily Groszczyk, and I!) 

(I am fundraising in honor of my grandpa) 

The 2020 Students of the Year program, is a seven-week initiative between January 21st and March 12th in which select high school students from around the country participate in a fundraising competition to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Candidate teams raise 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 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.