
Every year, 11,000 young leaders embark on a 7-week philanthropic journey with a united goal: to create a world without blood cancers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is dedicated to the mission of “curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.” In 2025, select Bellarmine students will again participate in the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign to fundraise for LLS.
In the United States alone, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every three minutes. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested nearly $1.8 billion into cancer research. The research LLS supports spans from basic blood cancer studies to clinical trials.
LLS places a special emphasis on innovative blood cancer research. One key initiative currently funded by LLS is the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP), which collaborates with biotech companies to develop cutting-edge blood cancer treatments, address unmet patient needs, and improve the lives of patients. At present, LLS funds over 300 researchers in areas such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and immunotherapy. All LLS-funded treatments are FDA-approved.
This year, juniors Ainsley Joyce and Marigold Morrow are teaming up in the fight against blood cancer. Each team focuses on one of three mission pillars: research, patient support, or advocacy. Team A & M for Action! has chosen advocacy as their focus. The campaign kickoff is on Feb. 6 and will run until March 29.
Junior Genevieve Davis, a team member of A & M for Action!, was inspired to join LLS after both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer in the same year. Davis reflects, “We were very blessed to have support from other people.”
Through LLS, she is eager to give back to an organization that has made such a difference. Davis is particularly excited about business outreach for the fundraising campaign. With a strong personal connection to the cause, she emphasizes, “Making a difference in our community and across the nation is really important to me.”
Along with its core mission, LLS helps students develop professional skills such as project management, financial literacy, and communications. These skills are crucial for navigating real-world challenges with confidence. When asked about the skills LLS teaches and what she enjoys most about her role, Campaign Development Director for the Pacific Northwest region, Stephanie Hall, shared, “Helping students learn these valuable skills and the importance of philanthropy is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”
Senior and former team organizer Caroline Potyondy, who made a significant impact within the organization, shared her own story of how she became involved with LLS. “After losing my Nagymama (Hungarian for grandma) to pancreatic cancer, I set out to find the most impactful way I could support the cancer community.”
Potyondy’s connections led her to choose advocacy through LLS. She adds, “LLS not only encourages visionaries to raise money but also provides high schoolers the opportunity to develop a variety of skills—from public speaking to enhancing organizational and leadership abilities, to learning sales pitching techniques.” With the support of LLS staff and resources, Potyondy and her team raised an incredible $43,250 for the cause.
As the 2025 campaign season approaches, donating through LLS’s website or supporting a fellow student’s team can have a significant impact on someone’s life. With the help of LLS, countless cancer patients and their families across the nation have received essential support. Their ongoing efforts continue to uplift and strengthen the community.
