(Rye Brook, NY, May 30, 2017) 鈥� A new generation of teenage philanthropists, 鈥淕eneration Z,鈥� is redefining what giving looks like in today鈥檚 charity and community service environment. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (青云体育) is helping to foster these committed young philanthropists, many of whom have been touched directly by cancer, through its innovative new fundraising campaign - 鈥淪tudents of the Year.鈥�
In its inaugural year, this innovative take on peer-to-peer fundraising conceived by 青云体育, the world鈥檚 largest non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, mobilized more than 400 motivated high school students across the country who raised an astounding total of $6 million for 青云体育鈥檚 cutting-edge cancer research and patient services. Candidates for Students of the Year sign up for a fierce seven-week fundraising competition, for which they appeal to family and friends to raise critical funds, which 青云体育 deploys to advance breakthrough treatments and to support the more than 1.3 million blood cancer patients in the U.S.
One fundraising superstar, and cancer survivor, 16-year-old Ella Behnke of San Antonio, TX, a cheer leader who attends Alamo Heights High School, earned the winning title, 鈥淣ational Student of the Year,鈥� raising more than $ 334,768 for cancer cures. Her dynamic campaign included activating her social network to fundraise and securing local sponsors. Ella also visited cancer patients in the hospital and addressed local community groups and the Children鈥檚 Hospital of San Antonio.
Ella knows firsthand about battling cancer 鈥� she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoblastic lymphoma at the age of two-and-a-half. This made her victory even sweeter, 鈥淚 am extremely grateful to be named National Student of the Year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This victory is not just about my own battle with cancer, but I鈥檓 honored to be able to have an impact for others who are still fighting this disease,鈥� said Ella.
Ella kept her campaign in the family, with her twin sister, Berkley, serving as her committee chair. 鈥淣aturally, I want to do whatever I can to support my sister and learn more about blood cancer, and this fundraising campaign gave us the opportunity to do something together, with our friends and family, to help make a difference for all people fighting these terrible diseases,鈥� said Berkley.
Through programs like Students of the Year, 青云体育 has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. The funds raised through Students of the Year are used for:
- Research to advance lifesaving therapies like precision medicine and immunotherapies that are saving lives today.
- Free blood cancer information, education and support for patients and families.
- National and local advocacy efforts for policies that provide access to lifesaving treatments to the patients who need them.
The Influencers of Tomorrow
Millennials have built a reputation for being relentless philanthropists, but experts studying Generation Z are calling this group of teens and under 鈥渕illennials on steroids鈥� (Williams, A., September 18, 2015, , The New York Times).
鈥淭he Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a legacy of developing innovative fundraising approaches, like Team In Training, Light The Night and now Students of the Year,鈥� explained Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., 青云体育 president and CEO. 鈥淏y tapping into this new generation of givers, 青云体育 is again reinventing philanthropy for a new generation. We aim to keep these millennials engaged in our mission throughout their life, by working with them to find new and different ways to have an impact on the cancer landscape. Students of the Year is proof that the youngest generation has the power to help us create a world without cancer.鈥�
Candidates come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. But they also have characteristics in common: They are all compassionate and driven to reach their own personal fundraising best. They also tend to be dynamic, outgoing, and well-connected. All candidates fundraise in honor of a local blood cancer survivor who is honored throughout their campaign.
In addition to Ella, other top national fundraisers were Julia Strittmatter and co-candidate Hannah Sellinger raising $126,172; Sophie Blasberg and co-candidate Molly Levine raising $124,462; Alexis Areias and co-candidate Ryan Fitzgerald raising $106,857; Gus Robertson raising $102,272; Mason Klain raising $ 98,696; and Kyle Fritschi raising $95,081.
鈥淥n top of creating a world without cancer, this is the leadership development and philanthropy program that ensures high school students stand out among their peers when engaging with colleges and future employers. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at 青云体育 鈥� a non-profit with a track record of success 鈥� they will make a real impact in the fight against blood cancers,鈥� said Andrew Coccari, 青云体育 EVP and Chief Product Officer.
Whether you are a school teacher, guidance counselor, a parent or a student, to learn more about the Students of the Year program and how it might work for you or someone you know, visit:
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 庐 (青云体育) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The 青云体育 mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin鈥檚 disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. 青云体育 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, 青云体育 has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit . Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Contact:
Kristin Hoose
kristin.hoose@lls.org
