My 41-year-old brother in law Matthew McGown lost his battle to leukemia (AML/Myelodysplastic syndrome) on 1/11/2019 after an 18-month illness.  He leaves behind his wife, Emily of two years, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and countless broken-hearted friends and family members.  

Matt and his wife were newlyweds when faced with a daunting diagnosis.  Some of their journey from newlyweds to cancer warriors was captured in the video link below. 

https://youtu.be/j_RoT708KrQ

It is my honor to continue the mission and create awareness for the cure.  If you would to join in the fundraiser (through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Program), please click on the link below.   My cousin Ellie Olshanski, a high school sophomore at Arrowhead High School in Wisconsin is leading our team.  I’m proud to join her in supporting such a noble cause.

Thank you to all who have donated to LLS or other organizations in Matt’s name already.   I have included you in this email to continue to raise awareness for this disease (and not to ask for a second donation).   Our family thanks you greatly for all the support. 

Here is a link to the LLS fundraiser page if you’d like to make a donation.

https://events.lls.org/wi/milwaukeesoy19/lmcgown

Thanks for all the prayers and support 

With Love,

Lisa McGown 

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.