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Commitment to Curing Cancer: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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One student ran in honor of his brother, who is battling leukemia. Two students ran for themselves, both cancer survivors. Two students ran in memory of their grandfather. One ran for a chance to receive scholarship funds and help other kids with cancer. No matter their reason, the fact that these 15 student leaders came together and raised more than $76,000 to further the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is nothing short of inspiring.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year campaign is a philanthropic leadership development program for exemplary high school students. This unique opportunity for high school students will give them real-life experience in entrepreneurship, community activism, marketing and project management. Each candidate will learn to engage and lead a team, comprised of fellow classmates, family members or friends to help them with their campaign. Parent involvement is a key to success this campaign. The title Student(s) of the Year is awarded to the student or student team who raises the most funds during the seven-week philanthropic competition. Students may compete individually or as a team of two or three co-candidates. While some candidates have a direct connection to cancer, all participants will learn about a local honor hero who is currently fighting blood cancer. This year’s honor hero was, Xander, a five-year-old from Bonner Springs, Kansas.

The 2018 Kansas City Students of the Year Campaign was a success. Nine candidate teams, composed of 15 extraordinary high school students, raised over $76,550 to help find cancer cures. Nationally there are 58 Chapters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society participating in this campaign with over 600 high school students involved with a combined goal to raise $10 million.

LLS is currently seeking nominations for the 2019 campaign. Students of the Year offers visibility and recognition within the community, is a resume booster, offers professional skills, community service hours, an opportunity to work with a mentor all which ensures that candidates stand out when preparing for college and beyond. Students are eligible to receive college scholarships as well as funding for their school’s programming.

For more information or to nominate a 2019 candidate, contact Janeane Werner at 913-262-1515 or Janeane.Werner@lls.org.

Written by: Janeane Werner

The 2018 class of Students of the Year
Pictured left to right: Brock Anderson, Blue Valley North High School; Onyekaorise Chigbogwu, Truman High School; Nathan Frost, Liberty High School; Rachell Sandoval, Truman High School; Kayleigh Winder, Olathe Northwest High School; Libby Fuzzel, Olathe Northwest High School; Xander Green, 2018 Students of the Year Honored Hero; Elena Le, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy; Allison Winker, Mill Valley High School; Tanner Jolley, William Chrisman High School; Dani Crispin, Mill Valley High School; Colin Moszczynski-Riva, Grain Valley High School; Sutton Purinton, Plaza Heights Christian Academy; Victoria Xayaphet, Truman High School. Not pictured: Kaitlin Jones, Notre Dame de Sion and Kendall Rogers, Notre Dame de Sion.