Being diagnosed with Leukemia and/or Lymphoma is a stressful time for anyone and learning that there is no cure can add to that stress even more. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society works to lift the burdens of those suffering from either disease by providing comfort and the financial support families need while searching for a cure.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. In 2017, the Austin Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) launched their Students of the Year campaign, giving students the opportunity to work hands on to help raise money and awareness for the organization.

“This campaign is a way for students to get involved with their community to support blood cancer research,” junior Student of the Year nominee Amanda Schwenke said.

Amanda Schwenke, Aydan Fish, Jack German, and Sarah Israel are asked students to help them fund raise and raise awareness for different blood cancers. Since blood cancers cause a death approximately every nine minutes in the United States.

Since 2007, the campaign has spread to many different states and countries , including Texas, giving Bowie students the opportunity to become candidates for the cause.

“About sixty student submissions are received per year, and out of those sixty only twelve candidate lead teams are selected,” Sublett said.

Over the years the LLS has developed The Student of the Year Campaign; a leadership development and philanthropy program in which students can participate in fundraising.

“The Student of the Year concept officially began in the Sacramento Chapter in 2007,” Sublett said. “The goal was to inspire high school students to join the fight against cancer and improve the quality of life for our patients and their families.”

Their main goal is to raise a total of $1500, and every dollar raised by the nominees counts as one vote towards the candidate and their team. At the end of the seven week time frame the candidates who raise the most money earn the title “Student of the Year.”

“Our main goal is to raise as much awareness and money as we can to support LLS, it’s not about winning,” Amanda Schwenke said.

Anyone who is interested in making a difference and contributing to funding research for finding a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma can donate and support Amanda and LLS  online at www.lls.org.

“There is never a good time to get a blood cancer, but there has never been a better time to be fighting it,” LLS CEO Dr. Louis J DeGennaro said.