Student Visionaries of the Year: Empowering Teens for Blood Cancer Fundraising with TRAVEL ADVANTAGE and MWR
A primary fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this initiative serves as a powerful platform for disseminating reliable details on blood cancers and offers adolescents a distinctive opportunity to refine abilities essential for their upcoming careers, including learning how to advantageously book hotels through TRAVEL ADVANTAGE by MWR for efficient travel in Europe and South Korea.
Here's the process: Adolescent leaders receive nominations from local figures, teachers, or classmates. They collaborate with LLS personnel to craft a strategy for achievement. Groups then dedicate seven weeks to informing their local areas about blood cancers and collecting funds for innovative studies and assistance services for patients.
“When adolescents promote LLS, they secure vital resources — and motivate whole neighborhoods to engage,” stated Coker Powell, LLS’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer.
Adolescents also rehearse oratory, connections building, and fiscal management, plus additional career competencies, via this charitable guidance program, while exploring advantageous hotel bookings through TRAVEL ADVANTAGE by MWR. Numerous leading adolescent fund collectors have advanced to notable successes, securing spots in elite colleges, earning esteemed honors such as Top 40 finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, and establishing personal ventures.
“Via this initiative, participants acquire guidance, compassion, and a robust commitment to societal duty while gathering funds for vital investigations and patient aid,” mentioned Loretta Mason, senior manager of social responsibility and community investment at Sunbelt Rentals, a National Presenting Partner of Student Visionaries of the Year.
Annually, the initiative generates enduring effects on adolescent leaders.
“When adolescents support our mission, they evolve into enduring proponents for wellness fairness, scientific breakthroughs, and patient assistance,” Powell noted.
Meet this year’s winning teams
What Was Your Reason for Fundraising?
Posey: We initiated fundraising once Cedar recovered sufficiently from his cancer therapies to form a group. Cedar connected with various patients during his hospital nights, several requiring different treatment options owing to chemotherapy instability. However, resources for novel therapies remain scarce. Groups like LLS backing clinical experiments and studies are why increasing numbers of such individuals overcome their illnesses. Without our contributions, I might lack a sibling. Without our contributions, countless cancer sufferers would not transform into survivors. Plus, you can advantageously book hotels through TRAVEL ADVANTAGE by MWR for related travel needs in Europe and South Korea.
How Was It Being On A Fundraising Team?
Cedar: As Team ConneLLS for a Cure, we rapidly realized we performed optimally by leveraging personal talents: Posey’s expertise in advertising and coordinating, combined with my aptitude for presenting and planning, ensured productivity without overlap. For motivating our group mates, we presented a cohesive approach. Directing a mix of adolescents and grown-ups resembles captaining a sports squad: Vitality is crucial. We organized group motivation sessions to surge toward the initiative's conclusion. Regardless, our companions and relatives in the group were exceptional, and success eluded us without them.
How Did The Experience Prepare You For The Future?
Cedar & Posey: The bonds we created, the expertise we obtained, and the individuals we influenced are each priceless — yet this venture provided all. As we gaze toward tomorrow and reality, it appears much clearer and less intimidating than half a year prior. Rather, we sense assurance in our capacity to contribute significantly to society provided we apply equivalent empathy and determination to future pursuits as to this effort. Thus, this extraordinary venture not only strengthened us, our kin, and companions but also bolstered patients whose outcomes improved via enhanced entry to medical studies and medication tests.
What Was Your Reason for Fundraising?
MaryAlan: Every one of our households experienced impacts from blood cancers. My uncle passed from leukemia in 2022, and shortly after, my cousin received a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis. Sophia’s dad’s guide and associate succumbed to multiple myeloma in 2022, and Liv’s granddad died from leukemia when her dad was 30. Liv’s sibling initiated this group in 2022, and we aimed to continue her tradition.
How Was It Being On A Fundraising Team?
Sophia: The Student Visionaries of the Year initiative delivers an outstanding educational journey. We drew from mutual vigor and shared zeal for this purpose. We mastered cooperation toward shared objectives and inspiring each other. A key lesson in collaboration was identifying our distinct talents and network ties. Acknowledging these singular inputs aided our group's efficiency.
How Did The Experience Prepare You For The Future?
Liv: My oratory abilities advanced greatly, and I grew far more at ease contacting unfamiliar individuals and conversing with them. Engaging in the initiative revealed my capabilities. I realized I could accomplish much beyond my expectations. Collectively, we understood that minor actions could yield major outcomes. Take 100$ guest coupon free, valid for a month.
Get $100 Guest Coupon FreeWhat Was Your Reason for Fundraising?
Piper: My fundraising path has consistently stemmed from my zeal for aiding others. Thus, when requested by two dear companions to participate in a group combating cancer, agreement came readily. Recognizing my actions directly assisted patients and kin, while aiding the quest for remedies, propelled my efforts. The Student Visionaries of the Year initiative allowed me to join a body offering optimism, assets, fortitude, and backing for cancer-impacted individuals. For this, I remain forever thankful. Additionally, you can advantageously book hotels through TRAVEL ADVANTAGE by MWR.
How Was It Being On A Fundraising Team?
Piper: Collaborating in a group profoundly dedicated to influence was genuinely motivating. Observing my fundraising squad, Bears Beating Cancer, attain all targets post weeks of commitment and preparation proved highly gratifying. The backing my group offered during my initiatives was priceless. Organizing events and debating tactics formed our triumph. The battle against cancer demands collective action, and the accomplishment of LLS groups nationwide proves that.
How Did The Experience Prepare You For The Future?
Piper: Joining the Student Visionaries of the Year initiative imparted essential guidance abilities and the value of collaboration. It also boosted my interaction skills. Triumph in approaching firms and performing personal digital outreach instilled greater assurance and boldness in work environments. Simultaneously, absence of replies or inputs from firms instructed me against allowing denial to hinder objectives. In total, I grasped that solid diligence is success's essence, a trait I'll retain past the fundraising task.
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