STAFF REPORT
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MIDLOTHIAN – Two Midlothian High School students were recognized for raising the most funds across Dallas for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Red River Region.
Claire Pustejovsky, 15, and Travis Kelley, 17, were at the Virtual Grand Finale Ceremony in late February to accept their 2022 Dallas Student of the Year awards for raising the most funds across Dallas with a total of $125,116 in seven weeks.
The money was raised through what is called “Students of the Year,” a seven-week philanthropic leadership development program during which students foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for LLS.
The Students of the Year fundraising campaign brings together thousands of students across the country from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are extraordinarily driven to reach their own personal fundraising best and, ultimately, help LLS fight blood cancer.
The top local fundraisers are eligible to win the national title after raising money in honor of a local patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer.
“We are so honored to be named the Dallas Students of the Year,” Pustejovsky said. “We did this in honor of our cousin, Hannah, who is an acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor. We are so thankful for the support of our friends, family, community and sponsors who helped make this possible. We’re blown away by what we were able to accomplish in just seven weeks.”
Pustejovsky and Kelley’s fundraising efforts included securing corporate sponsors – The Ryan Foundation, John Houston Homes/JH Reach, Merit Hill Capital and Sagis, among others – hosting local proceeds nights, running an email and letter campaign and networking across their community.
The Midlothian team’s name was “Cousins for a Cure.”
“Congratulations to Claire and Travis, and all our candidates, supporters and volunteers who helped to make Students of the Year a phenomenal success,” said Alyssa Ryan, LLS’s Dallas Students of the Year Campaign Development Manager.
“The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped LLS from advancing our mission and it sure isn’t stopping these determined students from their commitment to helping blood cancer patients.
“LLS will continue to tap into our rich history of innovation to reimagine fundraising for the digital age and new audiences of participants.
“We’re so grateful to the Students of the Year candidates and volunteers who fundraise for LLS – they are truly bringing us closer to a world without blood cancer.”
Overall more than $615,000 was raised in the Dallas area to support LLS’s mission.
In total, 17 high school student-led teams from Dallas raised more than $500,000.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
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