To the editor:
For the last 12 years I have served on the New Jersey Board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I’ve been honored to be the board chair for the last two years. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Late last year I had the opportunity to speak with members of SMAC (Student Movement Against Cancer) at Hopewell Valley Central High School. With the support of club advisors Dave Bello and Dana Pomykacz I presented the kids with an opportunity to have a positive impact on those who are suffering with blood cancers by participating in the society’s Student of the Year campaign.
The Student of the Year campaign is targeted at students who are enthusiastic about volunteerism, philanthropy, community outreach and leadership. The campaign, which starts on Jan. 28, is a 6-week initiative in which students participate in a fundraising challenge. At the end of the six weeks the student who raises the most money will win a $10,000 college scholarship and the runner up will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
I am excited and honored to tell you that four students from HVCHS have been nominated and chosen to participate in the campaign. They are Julia Immordino, Claire King, Avaneesh Kolluri and Brandon Li. Throughout the state there are 19 students competing for the scholarship.
I’ve lived in Pennington for 20-plus years with my wife and three children. I’ve seen first hand the generosity of businesses, neighbors and friends across this community. I ask you to continue to show that generosity and support for these amazing students as they reach out for support for their individual fundraising campaigns.
If you know any of the students participating, please contact them and ask how you can support them. If you don’t know any of the students but would like to make a donation, please send a check made payable to the attention of Michelle Evetts at Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to 14 Commerce Drive, Cranford, NJ 07719 . Please write “HVCHS SoY campaign” on all checks. Any donations sent directly to the society will be split evenly across the four student campaigns.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is making amazing progress in finding cures for many blood cancers. You hear a lot of people say “someday we will cure cancer.” At the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, our tag line is “Someday is Today.”
Thank you in advance for your support.
Mike Shevlin
Pennington
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
New Jersey Chapter Board Chair
