The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) New England Region has announced the 25 candidates who are vying for Students of the Year title – a fierce seven-week fundraising competition to raise critical funds to support LLS’s investment in groundbreaking research to advance blood cancer cures and its first-in-class patient education and services, including financial support and clinical trial navigation.

The candidates/teams who raise the most money at the end of the competition earn the title Students of the Year.

Through their participation in one of LLS’s newest innovations in fundraising for its quest to cure blood cancers, students have raised millions since the campaign was launched nationally in 2017, contributing to LLS’s investment of nearly $1.3 billion in lifesaving cancer research.

Students of the Year 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. Top local fundraisers become eligible to win the national title. The students raise money in honor of a local patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer.

Maya Fraenza, Rachel Davidson and Ava Estrella from Cranston High School West will be raising funds from Jan. 29 to March 20th, representing the TOWN community. Read these amazing students’ stories at events.lls.org/ma/bostonsoy21/chswest.

“It’s amazing to watch these young men and women work so hard to fundraise and help us cure cancer,” said Laura MacNeill, LLS’ New England Region executive director. “Students of the Year resonates with Generation Z, who want to leave their mark in the world. As the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, LLS has a 70-year legacy of innovating in the fundraising category and Students of the Year is our newest addition. The one-of-a-kind program brings together students from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are compassionate and driven to reach their own personal fundraising best.”

For motivated high school students, Students of the Year ensures they stand out among their peers when engaging with colleges and future employers. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at LLS, they will make a real impact in the fight against blood cancers. To learn more about the Students of the Year program and how it might work for you or someone you know, visit www.studentsoftheyear.org.