Happy Kickoff! On January 21st, we kicked off our campaign! It was truly exciting to meet all the candidates who are involved in this incredible organization. In addition, we got the opportunity to meet our Honored Hero, Harlow, and her family as they shared Harlow's story as a cancer survivor. After hearing of their strength and bravery, we are even more motivated for the work we will be during these seven weeks to help fight blood cancer!

On Jan. 3, Team Legacy had a team meeting to write about 300 hundred letters! As a part of our advocacy, the team will be sending out e-mails and calls (as well as the letters) during the 7 weeks to help with our fundraising efforts. Along with this, many team members are organizing give back night events or reaching out to local businesses. As we work towards this incredible cause, we are learning communication, marketing, and organization skills!

Working hard to find a cure!

A vital inspiration and hero for our LLS campaign is a family friend of ours named Tom Dellemann. His journey started when he was in the best shape of his life, just completing his 6th marathon. However, on January 18th, 2012, Mr. Dellemann was diagnosed with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, a version so rare there are only 15-20 cases of it in North America per year. The most inspiring thing to us about Mr. Dellemann was he never let the suffering he was going through stop him from enjoying his life. The minute that he went into remission, Mr. Dellemann began training for another marathon! He reached out specifically to those in charge of the Boston Marathon, asking for special permission to be able to run in the race, calling it his ‘adult Make A Wish.’ Mr. Dellemann got his wish and ran in the Boston Marathon in 2013! Unfortunately, this was the year of the Boston Marathon bombings, and he had to stop a mile away from the finish line. we're sorry to say that after two years of battling Leukemia, Mr. Delleman passed away on January 6, 2014. We were recently able to sit down and talk with his wife, Julie. What is most special to me is that 4 months after Mr. Dellemann’s passing, Mrs. Dellemann ran the Boston Marathon in honor of her husband and finished for him. 

Mr. Dellemann was a very big supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, putting together his own fundraiser for them during his lifetime! After hearing the effects of blood cancer more first-hand, we are more determined than ever to help raise as much as our team can for LLS research as well. We hope our work with LLS can help spare future families from the incredible pain and loss they have endured.

Want to hear more about the Dellemann Family's story? Click here to go to their Caring Bridge website!

On Dec. 5th 2019, we attended the 2019 LLS Wisconsin Chapter Awards! It was incredible to see the work that volunteers from all areas of the organization (from businesses, Light the Night, Students of the Year, Pennies For Patients, and more!) and how they all come together to advocate for blood cancer awareness. What an inspiring event!

"You have blood cancer."

Every 3 minutes, someone in the United States has to hear these heart-stopping, life-altering words. And with them, a life consumed by treatment and struggle ensues. However, being diagnosed is no longer a death sentence. Because of organizations such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which has invested over $1.3 billion dollars in blood cancer research, more options and actions are available to ensure swift treatment.

Cancer may be a battle. But today, we have hope for a cure. 

This hope is shared by Team Legacy, a group of high school students, middle school students, and adults who are united by this cause and the people in our lives who have been impacted by cancer. And when you look around, almost everyone you know has been impacted by cancer in some way. It is heartbreaking to see, but this suffering can also be used to unite us to fight back together; this campaign is a perfect way to carry out the legacy of all of our loved ones fighting their own cancer battles or cheering us on in our hearts even after their deaths.

The legacy of many individuals in our lives who have fought cancer, sometimes not always winning that battle, is our inspiration for being apart of LLS. This has translated into our team name being Team Legacy... their legacy is our inspiration, but longevity is our motivation for 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 this page, Khadijah's page, or Emily's 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.

Sincerely, 

Team Legacy