This generation of high school students is pretty incredible and if you need proof, here it is: This year's Students of the Year campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a 7 week fundraising competition, collectively raised $447,201 for blood cancer research, advocacy, and patients services! And they did it all in the middle of a pandemic.
If you recall, last year my daughter Juleen participated in this fundraising campaign. Both Juleen and I stayed involved but this time serving as co-chairs of the Leadership Team. I could not be more proud of this group of students whose perseverance was inspiring to watch and relive.
The winning team for the class of 2021 was Team Cancer Crushers from Newport Harbor High School with a record breaking fundraising total of $137,245!!
The press release below will give you a lot more insight into this year's Students of the Year program. If you want to get involved for 2022, let me know! I'll be back to Chair the Leadership Team and we are already getting started! Email me at EvelynErives@iheartmedia.com or see Emily Barlett's contact in the press release below.
CONGRATS TO ALL OF THE 2021 CANDIDATES!!
Press Release For Immediate Release
March 23, 2021
Contact: Emily Bartlett 714-481-5619 Emily.Bartlett@lls.org
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RELENTLESS IN VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING FOR MUCH NEEDED CANCER RESEARCH AND SUPPORT
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Orange County Inland Empire Chapter Announces Winners of 2021 Students of the Year Fundraising Competition
Orange County, California – Like many nonprofit organizations, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), a global leader in the fight against cancer, is not immune to the damaging impact of the COVID[1]19 pandemic. The fifth annual Students of the Year® campaign exceeded all expectations, ensuring that in today’s times of uncertainty, cancer patients will remain supported. Thirteen student led teams across Orange County and the Inland Empire remained laser-focused in their pursuit of a world without blood cancer – even though it meant running a fully virtual campaign. In just seven weeks, these extraordinary high school students raised $447,201.
LLS announced that Team Cancer Crushers, led by Murphy Malouf, Julian Knott, and Luca Curci, of Newport Harbor High School, were awarded with the prestigious title of Orange County Inland Empire Students of the Year, by raising $137,245. Their team currently holds the record for the most amount raised during the campaign in the OCIE chapter.
“We would like to thank all of our teammates, the awesome community we live in, businesses, and friends and family, both near and far, for supporting us through this incredible journey,” said Malouf, Knott, and Curci, of team Cancer Crushers. “We have learned so much about blood cancer, and we’re hopeful that with our contribution there will be cures on the horizon for those who are battling every day. Finally, we’d like to thank our parents – especially our three mothers, for standing by us and cheering us on along the way. Go Cancer Crushers!”
Participants in fundraising campaigns, like Students of the Year, are helping LLS make an impact on the lives of cancer patients, not someday, but today. LLS is leading the charge in exploring new paths to cures and treatments, with almost 300 cutting-edge research projects underway, many in the promising new areas of immunotherapy and personalized medicine. In addition to finding blood cancer cures, many of the treatments LLS has helped fund are now helping patients with other cancers and chronic diseases.
Team Adolphson’s Aces led by Lilly Hurtt, of Crean Lutheran High School, was named Runner-Up. Special recognition was also given to teams who raised more than $50,000 – Team Adolphson’s Aces, Team Cancer Crushers, Team Hope, and Team Marvel Heroes. This $50,000 Top Fundraiser Recognition Award connects the individuals with one of LLS’s Research Portfolios. The portfolios include a variety of projects that focus on specific blood cancer research, so candidates may choose one that is meaningful to them.
“Congratulations to Murphy, Julian, and Luca, and all our candidates, supporters and volunteers who helped to make Students of the Year a huge success. Despite the unprecedented challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they never lost hope,” said Kathlene Seymour, LLS’s Executive Director. “While everyone was working to adjust to a 'new normal,' they relentlessly wanted to make sure to not forget the over 1.3 million people living with or in remission from a blood cancer, many of whom are children. For these individuals, it’s not just about winning a title; it’s all about the impact they are making in their communities and the generations ahead of them.”
In addition to top fundraising awards, candidates were recognized for their commitment to the LLS Mission, Volunteerism, and Community Involvement. The Citizenship Awards went to: Cameron J. Wright, of Oak Park Independent School, and David Lee, of John F Kennedy Middle College, for Community Involvement; Danielle Ito, of Huntington Beach High School, for Volunteerism; and Makenna Stefano, of Corona Del Mar High School, for Mission.
To learn more about LLS’s Students of the Year program, or to nominate a student of the 2022 campaign, visit https://www.studentsoftheyear.org/.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The LLS Children’s Initiative: Cures and Care for Children with Cancer
The LLS Children’s Initiative is a $100 million multi-year effort to take on children’s cancer through every facet of LLS’s mission: research, patient education and support and policy and advocacy. The LLS Children’s Initiative includes: more pediatric research grants, a global precision medicine clinical trial, expanded free education and support services for children and families and driving policies and laws that break down barriers to care. To learn more, visit www.lls.org/childrens-initiative.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Orange County Inland Empire Chapter
515 N. Cabrillo Park Drive, Suite 102
Santa Ana, CA 92701
www.lls.org/ocie