Congratulations to the Maryland Students of the Year 2021 Candidate Class on their record-breaking success! Our 2021 Campaign Class consisted of 15 Candidate Teams, 23 Student Candidates and over 100 Team Members. Together, they raised an incredible total of $574,964!!

This amazing group of high-school students, joined together with their friends, families and supporters celebrated remotely (and safely!) all their hard work and accomplishments - ending the evening with a virtual dance party! THANK YOU to the members of the 2021 Students of the Year Campaign for your relentless efforts that will continue to make a HUGE impact on the LLS Mission.

2021 Citizenship Award Winners

2021 Maryland Students of the Year Winners

2021 Maryland Students of the Year - 1st Place Winners

2021 Maryland Students of the Year - 1st Runner Up

2021 Maryland Students of the Year - 2nd Runner Up

Congratulations to all our incredible Candidates and Team Members on a fantastic campaign season.

Beating Cancer is in OUR Blood!

Do you know a Student Leader in Maryland that could be the next Student of the Year? Nominate them TODAY for our next campaign!

To nominate, please contact:

Andrew Steckel, Campaign Development Manager

[email protected]

Elias Begay was diagnosed with Philadelphia-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 10 in February 2019.  A very active boy, Elias was in cross country, basketball, and football. He became sick at school one day and had to be picked up. His dad asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital, or do you want to stay home and see if you get better?’” Elias replied, “I think I need to go to the hospital.”  His family took him to the local medical clinic.  After spending hours at the office, the physician alerted the family that Elias needed to go to the ER, meaning a flight to Phoenix as he lived in Page, AZ.

Elias was diagnosed with cancer, blood cancer.  From then on, Elias and his family began their blood cancer journey for almost 2 years.  Trips to Phoenix Children’s Hospital from Page, AZ (over 5 hours one way) for treatments became routine. The family rearranged many things just to make ends meet. His mom, Shandiin, had to leave her job because of long treatment stays and the community in Page did what they could to help, organizing fundraisers. Elias also needed a stem implant, and there was a challenge of finding a match.  Thanks to his younger brother, Quanah, he was able to donate his stem cells to help Elias beat cancer. After many challenges, came triumph and Elias finally rang the bell in July 2021.  Elias, now 13 years old, is ready to live his new chapter in life. He is one amazing kid, with dreams of being a running back or wide receiver and loves playing chess! His family continues to fight blood cancer and stand beside him with positivity, hope and prayers.  He is a true survivor, enjoying every moment and milestone alongside his family.

Maya is an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia SURVIVOR!

Maya and her family are no strangers to LLS, as she was the 2021 Girl of the Year for our Man & Woman of the Year campaign! Maya was diagnosed in 2009 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at only 23 months old. Her cancer journey began with a pain in her leg and what was meant to be a quick trip to the clinic turned into an 8 hour day of tests resulting in a cancer diagnosis. She is now a cancer-free 14 year old who loves sports! Softball has always been her thing but she has recently picked up soccer and is LOVING it!

Maya wants to thank everyone for helping kids like her!

Orange County, California - Like many nonprofit organizations, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is not immune to the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fifth annual Students of the Year campaign exceeded all expectations, ensuring that in today’s times of uncertainty, cancer patients will remain supported. Thirteen student led teams across Orange County and the Inland Empire remained laser-focused in their pursuit of a world without blood cancer – even though it meant running a fully virtual campaign. In just seven weeks, these extraordinary high school students raised $447,201.

Newport Harbor High School's Murphy Malouf, Julian Knott, & Luca Curci, of Team Cancer Crusher, were awarded with the prestigious title of Orange County Inland Empire Students of the Year by raising more than $137,000!

Team Adolphson’s Aces led by Lilly Hurtt, of Crean Lutheran High School, was named Runner-Up. Special recognition was also given to teams who raised more than $50,000 – Team Adolphson’s Aces, Team Cancer Crushers, Team Hope, and Team Marvel Heroes. This $50,000 Top Fundraiser Recognition Award connects the individuals with one of LLS’s Research Portfolios. The portfolios include a variety of projects that focus on specific blood cancer research, so candidates may choose one that is meaningful to them.

The Citizenship Awards were presented to Makenna Stefano of Team Hope for Mission Integration, Danielle Ito of Team Marvel Heroes for Volunteerism, and David Lee & Cameron J. Wright of Team Caring for a Cure for Community Involvement. 

ABOUT STUDENTS OF THE YEAR

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Students of the Year is an exciting leadership development and philanthropy program in which high school students participate in a fundraising competition to benefit LLS. Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The candidates/teams who raise the most money at the end of the 7-week competition earn the title Student(s) of the Year. For motivated high school students, this program ensures they stand out among their peers when engaging with colleges and/or future employers. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at LLS they will make a real impact in the fight against blood cancers.

Apply or Nominate a High School Student for our 2022 Students of the Year class at https://studentsoftheyear.org/get-involved.

ABOUT THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

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. Since 1949, LLS has been on the forefront of blood cancer advances such as chemotherapies and stem cell transplantation leading the way to the targeted therapies and immunotherapies that are saving thousands of lives today. LLS is changing the landscape of cancer with more than 300 active research projects that explore different avenues of new and adventurous research; ones with promise and ones that will save lives not someday, but today.

Thank you to all those who supported our 27 candidate teams through silent auction, making a general donation and attending our virtual gala! Congratulations again to our 27 candidate teams and 400 team members on raising a recording breaking $960,000 towards our mission.

The 2021 Students of the Year Winner: Team Lookout Leukemia

The 2021 Students of the Year Runner Up: Team Overcome

Volunteerism Award Recipients: Lilly Patterson and Alice Schubert

Team Fundraising Team Member: Lily Botros

$50K Teams:

• Team Lookout Leukemia
• Team Overcome
• Team Victory in the Ville
• Team Hudson Explorers
• Team Pioneer for the Cure
• Team In the Arena
• Team Hope 

Congratulations to our SOY RGV 2021 Student of the Year, Kailey Wilson! Kailey and her team raised $45,000 for the fight against blood cancers. Kailey was running in honor of her grandfather. Amazing job, Kailey!!!

Congratulations to the 2021 San Antonio Student of the Year, Mitchell Patterson, and his team, Team Alamo! This group of hardworking students raised over $140,000 to support the fight against blood cancers! Thank you for all of your hard work - you are amazing!

Jaleel was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphblastc Leukemia in July of 2020. As a very active family, his diagnosis came out of nowhere and combining this with COVID has been even more strenuous. Only one parent is allowed in the hospital while he receives treatment, so finding the time to take turns as parents with our work schedule's has been difficult.
Jaleel is such a polite and loving ball of energy. He is so compassionate and caring for others that it puts us in awe. He is always asking questions about others to make sure they are okay such as, "How did you sleep last night?" and "How was your day?"He is such a a great kid and we could not ask for a better son.

When she was just 10 months old, Braylynn was diagnosed with Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After spending several of her 'firsts' in the hospital, she finished treatment on June 21, 2020, and rang her bell at home due to COVID-19. These days, Braylynn is a sassy three-year-old, full of life. She loves being outside, swinging, dancing, and any and all animals.

Andrew is a 5thgrader at St. Andrews School and was diagnosed with B-cell high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2019. He loves all things water –the beach, the pool, water parks, going fishing –even the frozen kind of water –he loves skiing too! Andrew is scheduled for his last treatment in December 2021 and is looking forward to getting back to all his outdoor activities!