Students Raise Money For Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Jada Riley and Bre Mulder are Seniors at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. While introducing themselves the girls explained they were aspiring nurses planning to attend local colleges in the fall. In the meantime, they are staying occupied finishing out their final year of highschool.

“I am involved in a lot of extracurriculars like National Honors Society, student council, and club volleyball. I’m also involved in the Students of the Year campaign through LLS, and I’m doing a service learning project with Bre,” says Jada.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Both of the girls are involved in the LLS Students of the Year campaign (SOY). SOY is a philanthropic leadership development program for exemplary high school students. During the campaign, participants foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for LLS.

“I wanted to get involved in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because of what they do and how they help out blood cancer families. My dad passed away from lung cancer, even though it wasn’t blood cancer it still hits pretty close to home for me,” explained Bre.

“I joined LLS’s Student of the Year campaign because my step mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma a little after my first sister was born. She is a lucky survivor, and ended up having my [second] sister so it’s also really close to home for me,” Jada continued. 

Their senior capstone projects were influenced by their involvement with LLS. Bre’s senior project will be focused on the lack of financial support for cancer families, while Jada’s capstone project will emphasize the emotional impact cancer has on families.

February 7th and 11th Bre and Jada will be hosting a basketball game and half the funds made by selling concessions will go towards their senior capstone projects, the other half will go towards their LLS fundraising goal of $20,000. Individually, the girls are raising money for a family at the school affected by cancer. When asked how the community can get more involved, they suggested attending basketball games, or donating to their page! If you are unable to give financially, pass the message along!

Donate to their campaign today and help Jada and Bre make a difference!