These past two years I have been the support for someone going through end-stage kidney failure, and while it is not exactly the same, I have experienced firsthand what it is like to have extended hospital stays or travel to seek the best care. LLS's mission directly aligns with my own and that is why I am campaigning this year!

I have always been a huge supporter of those fighting the battle against cancer. I have a sympathetic heart, and always am willing to help raise awareness to good causes, like LLS. I hope to create an organization in which we raise awareness to the battle many people face daily against cancer.

My why is because my grandmother died of cancer and I know how it feels to have a loved one not make it because of sickness.

I said yes to this competition for the leadership opportunity and to help the individuals who are fighting against cancer.

I am competing because when I was younger, my father had lymphoma, and I want to help both raise awareness about it and raise money for its research. While my father beat the disease, a lot of people don't, and I want to help other people's parents beat it, as well.

I want to serve the community and give aid to those in need. I've been the recipient of too many acts of kindness and generosity to not pass as many as I can along.

My Uncle Steve battled Hodgkin's lymphoma and low grade lymphoma at the same time, a very rare and life-risking occurrence. In response, my dad stepped in and donated his own plasma and white blood cells to help his brother fight through his cancer. My reason behind joining this campaign is so that we can support the research this organization does against these cancers.

I want to raise awareness and get more people involved with LLS. I want to help people who are suffering in any way I can.

I want to spread the message that LLS provides across my community. I want to raise awareness and help support those who are battling.

My motivator behind the campaign is helping the families and friends who have lost loved ones from lymphoma.

My mom survived breast cancer a couple years ago. It's not blood cancer, but it really threw me for a loop. I realized cancer can strike anywhere, and now I want to try to keep other kids like me from having much worse experiences.

My main motivator behind the campaign is that cancer has affected my own family and I have seen the effects that it has on family and loved ones. I want to have a part in alleviating this pain. My other motivator behind the campaign is that I want to do something to help the cause because I am able to do something. I want to do something for the cause because there may be someone out there that is not able to do anything.

I want to support research for leukemia and lymphoma, and use my resources to help save lives.

As both my parents are in the medical field, I have always been inspired to help people in ways they cannot help themselves. Additionally, I have had family who have survived the battle with cancer (especially leukemia), and I want to be able to alleviate the struggles of the battle in the foreseeable future.

I said yes because I truly believe that lymphoma and leukemia deserve and need more awareness on the topic. I think this organization brings not only awareness but stability and help to families suffering. I am also working for this cause because my grandfather passes from lymphoma.

I chose to support LLS because of its commitment to the family of cancer patients as well as the cancer patients. I was young when my grandpa died, but I clearly remember how his death and his fight with cancer impacted my family. Funds donated to LLS not only support cancer research but also offer support groups and resources to the caregivers of cancer patients.

I said yes to being a candidate because I care a lot about helping others and LLS seemed like an amazing opportunity to do that.

For me, I have always cared so much for the people who are in pain, whether it is physical or mental pain or both, and Cancer most certainly brings both to patients and families. Growing up, I have always feared the possibility of cancer and sympathized for the ones who dealt with it, and I am motivated to go far in this campaign to help put an end to the pain cancer causes.

I originally joined to be apart of something with my upperclassmen friends, as I learned more about the cause I gained a true understanding and respect for LLS.

I am choosing to be part of this campaign because I want to fight for something that is far bigger than myself and I am excited to educate myself further on this cause. These diseases have affected those that I love and care about, and I am committed to help make a difference.

I desire to help bring awareness to blood cancer and all other types of cancer. My desire to be a leader on this team comes from how cancer has affected multiple people in my family. I have experienced losing a loved one so I want to make a difference through LLS.

Grace was diagnosed with high risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 2 1/2 years old and completed treatment right before her 5th birthday and remains in remission at the age of 16. While a patient at the Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Grace received thousands of doses of chemotherapy, over 20 spinal taps with chemotherapy, 16 blood transfusions, 5 platelet infusions, and spent over 50 nights on the Hem/Onc floor. Grace continues to think of the 6th floor as a second home and loves taking gifts and supplies up to the nurses and children still fighting what she called a "crazy adventure." Grace loves musical theater and wants to be an actress or Pediatric Oncologist when she grows up.

In 2015, I was a typical two-year-old until my mother noticed unexplained bruising and fevers. A visit to my pediatrician revealed normal blood work and started to feel a bit better.
Months later, I felt like I was burning up and had a recent unexplained bruising episode. We did a rotation of Motrin and Tylenol and when I tried to turn my head to drink water, I realized I couldn't move my neck.
Maybe I had bad ear infection since my lab work was fine earlier. We went to the ER and was promptly moved to a critical care room and was told the blood smear indicated malignancy, leading to a diagnosis of high-risk acute lymphoid leukemia.
My port was placed the next day and I spent 37 days hospitalized and underwent extensive treatment, including participation in a trial study.
After two years of treatment, I received my last dose of chemotherapy in September 2017. Thanks to the dedicated care from the staff at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital and organizations like LLS- I'm so happy to be cancer free.