Each year, LLS launches its Student of the Year campaign – a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. I am so excited for the incredible opportunity to learn, grow and serve through this unique program. The student group who raises the most funds over the seven-week campaign will earn the title “Student(s) of the Year” as well as college scholarship. (This year’s (2022) campaign begins January 7th, 2022, and runs through February 26th.)

I have accepted this nomination because of the impact blood cancer has had in my life.  At twelve years old, my brother, Harrison, was diagnosed with T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.  After two years of chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, radiation and immunotherapy, Harrison passed away when he was 14. He was strong and brave. Since his death in 2018, our family has supported other LLS initiatives such as Light the Night, as well as starting our own non-profit, Team Harrison. It is important that no other family go through what we have, and children, like my brother should not have to fight with outdated treatments.

LLS has created a Children’s Initiative – investing over $100 million over the next five years to support global, collaborative research and treatments for children’s blood cancers, as well as providing free education, support, financial assistance, and advocacy on behalf of young patients and their families. This organization is doing so much with the funds it raises, and we are proud to support them, as they have supported our family, and Harrison.  

I hope you will join our mission as we support LLS in its efforts to find cures for blood cancers and to assist patients and their families as they battle this disease. Please consider supporting our team and fundraising efforts by sending a check payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Attn: Maddy Willing, PO Box 503, Spinnerstown, PA 18968. Please reference Team Battle for Better in the memo.