LLS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. They have been going on since 1949.
Other than helping the patients, LLS supports the community while fundraising money that can help go towards finding new cures and helping struggling families with loved ones who have been diagnosed.
LSS isn’t just for patients and family though, teenagers across the nation help contribute to their mission. This is what junior Kaya Avery has to say about it.
“LLS supports the community by raising money that goes towards finding cures while helping families that can be struggling” Avery said.
Avery is what the organization calls a student visionary. Student Visionaries run a seven week campaign fundraising for LLS while also learning professional skills. Last year Avery and her cousin raised $18000.
Even though Avery doesn’t have a team this year, the experience was amazing and she was so happy to be a part of the program.
Each team can have 1-3 students.
This year some of the North Central student visionaries include Junior Lillian Harvey, Junior Finn McMahan and Junior Lola Jane Anderson.
Even people not a part of the program were excited that there was support coming from their school.
“I think it’s really inspiring that people from my school are a part of LLS because it shows no matter what age you are, you can help out,” sophomore Joelle Pulfer said.
Because of all of the work LLS does, they make sure all patients know they are not alone and have people fighting for them even if they do not know said person.
“It can help patients know they have support behind them and makes them more motivated to fight knowing they have people on their side.” Sophomore Chase Grove said.
Over the years, LLS has donated over 1.3 million dollars cutting edge research to helping find cures for patients.
Other than being a student visionary and donating, LLS hosts walks, marches and other fundraisers.
“Being a part of LLS helped me strengthen my leadership, networking and communication skills,” Avery said.
Near the end of each team’s campaign, the organization hosts a big celebration to celebrate all the students’ hard work and honors the teams that raised the most money. This money goes towards cancer studies and financial assistance.
Because of all the hard work LLS does, the research world wouldn’t be the same without them.
