Students of the Year Pittsburgh
Vanessa Rodgers | Team Rosemary's Ralliers
Welcome to Vanessa Rodgers' SOY Fundraising Page!
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 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. LLS also supports research for lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma.
As a result of COVID-19, our original fundraising window has been extended to June 3rd. The funds raised will also contribute towards LLS' COVID-19 financial aid program, which assists blood cancer patients facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
Our team name, Rosemary's Ralliers, is in loving memory of my Grandma Rosemary, who lost her battle with multiple myeloma after three years, and passed away on October 14th, 1989 at the age of 59. Since I was born in 2003, I never had the chance to meet her, but doing this campaign has given me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with her and her story. My family has also witnessed the advancements in technology for cancer treatment over the years, and I am so grateful that I have been given a chance to make my own impact. Today, my Uncle Bob, aged 53, is going on his 8th year of battling myeloma. We continue to be amazed by his strength and sense of humor as he continues through chemotherapy. Through this campaign, I hope to honor those of generations past and ensure a cancer-free future of the generations to come.
First Photo: Rosemary's High School Graduation, 1948
Second Photo: Grandpa Rege and Grandma Rosemary at Kennywood, Aug 6th, 1949
First Photo: Uncle Bob;
Second Photo: Uncle Bob (far left), my dad, Bill (far right)
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.
15 Comments
Francesca Diaz
“SOY Rosemary’s Ralliers”
Keri Cronin
So proud of you, Vanessa!
Sherri Jak
Vanessa, if anyone deserves this honor, it is you! I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.
Chuck O’Neill
Good luck Vanessa and thank you for your efforts!
Walter & Debbi Perri
So proud of you and your accomplishments! How special you are to take on this great cause!
Dean Rettger
Great work!
Bonnie Rodgers
Vanessa, no pressure but I think that you could break the code!!
Christina Ferko
Congratulations Vanessa!
Mark Hutter
Camp Quarantine is such a great idea!! Great cause …. Thanks you!!
Nicole Burford
Thank you for your hard work! My girls are looking forward to the activities that you have planned. I lost a very special uncle to Multiple Myeloma 6 years ago, so this is dear to my heart.
Mulvihill Family
My dad has been battling Multiple Myeloma for 5 years. Two of his drugs were developed by LLS researchers!
Neyrchel Ludwick and Family
Great job Vanessa and friends! From, your neighbor-The Ludwicks...
Kathy Sokol
Thank you Vanessa Rodgers and Rosemary's Ralliers in supporting LLS's mission!
LESLIE FUSCARDO
Very proud of you Vanessa and good luck in your campaign.
Robert Rodgers
Thank you for the support Vanessa! Love you, Uncle Bob