I am honored to participate as a candidate for the 2020 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.  The candidate 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.

I am doing this campaign because of true fighters and heroes who have inspired me through their battles with cancer. 

My cousin Amy was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia when she was just 10 years old in 2004.  She was put on an experimental drug called Gleevec, which ended up saving her life. She is in medical remission today because of this drug, and the research for it was funded by LLS.  I get to see her as a happy, healthy woman now, and she even got married this summer!  

I am also inspired by children who have to battle cancer at such a young age.  Through LLS, I met my friends Julius (age 8) and Nora (age 3) who are both fighting brave battles against blood cancer.  It is truly amazing how positive they remain even in their darkest times. Both Julius and Nora are such sweet souls, and their uplifting, positive attitudes really motivate me to raise money to help more families just like theirs.

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.