Lilly Skinner, Ellyse Ramos, and Willa Wiley are making a difference by participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program. If you did not know already, leukemia is blood cancer and lymphoma is lymphatic cancer (a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system). Leukemia is the most common cancer in children younger than 15 years old. To learn more about leukemia, go to https://www.lls.org/leukemia. Go to https://www.lls.org/lymphoma to learn more about lymphoma.

I interviewed Lilly Skinner to learn more about the LLS Students of the Year program:

Can you briefly describe what The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program is?

“The students of the year program is a high school leadership development program in which students compete to raise the most money for the leukemia and lymphoma society. LLS focuses on research, policy and advocacy, and patient support, and all funds raised by student of the year candidates support these measures. Candidate or co-candidates are able to develop a fundraising team, plan events, and request corporate sponsorships in order to meet their fundraising goals.”

What made you decide to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Students of the Year program?

“Ellyse and I heard about it from our friends Hali and Sophie. Personally, I loved fundraising and planning events and really loved the cause, so I decided to give it a try. Ellyse and I then formed a team with Hali and Sophie’s encouragement. A couple weeks later, Willa mentioned the program at lunch, and after realizing she was interested, we invited her to join us as a co-candidate.”

What is your team’s fundraising goal?

“$15,000”

What can other Magnet students do to support your fundraising efforts?

“You can follow us on Instagram @lookoutleukemia to see any fundraisers we have planned, donate to our campaign at https://events.lls.org/sc/scsoy22/tlookoutle, and reach out to us if you want to help us find silent auction items, plan fundraising events, or know of a possible corporate sponsor.”

Anything else you would like to add?

“I want to thank our amazing team members: Nicole Drucker, Elena Yu, Lily Hutson, Sarah Roop, Jordyn B, Ava Peterson, and Leila Tabrizian! If any of you are interested in the campaign/cause and would like to help us volunteer, please let us know via dm on Instagram or by emailing our ccsd school accounts (skilil3051@ccsdschools.com, ramell1412@ccsdschools.com, wilwil2787@ccsdschools.com).”