This year marks the second year students have made a big splash in the world of philanthropic fundraising. Through an initiative with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, students across the United States competed to raise funds for cancer research. Over 600 high school students competed int eh fundraising this year. The winning “National Students of the Year” were Samir, and Saar Shah. The cousins raised money in honor of their relatives who have experienced multiple forms of blood cancer including acute myeloid leukemia. Keep reading to learn more, or follow the original source here.
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
Acute myeloid leukemia, or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. In acute myeloid leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal myeoblasts, red blood cells, and platelets. When these abnormal cells grow and accumulate, no room is left for the development of healthy cells. This prevents the blood from working effectively within the body.
Acute myeloid leukemia is caused as a result of damage in DNA of developing bone marrow cells. In most cases, it is not known what causes the DNA to become mutated. Known risks, however, include radiation, exposure to certain chemicals, and certain chemotherapy drugs, and genetic factors.
Symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia may include fever, bone pain, easy bruising, and unusual bleeding. There are a number of treatments which may be applied to acute myeloid leukemia depending on the type of disease, and the overall health of the patient. Typically treatments is order into a remission induction phase, and a consolidation phase.
Click here to learn more about acute myeloid leukemia.
Students of the Year
Two years ago the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society launched a new fundraising initiative. Known as Students of the Year, the campaign puts philanthropy in the hands of youth across the country. Participants engage in a seven-week competition to raise funds in honor of “a local patient hero,” someone currently living with or in remission from a form of blood cancer. All funds raised go towards research and patient care undertaken by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
At the end of the seven-week contest, those groups with the most funds raised become eligible to compete for the title of National Students of the Year.
Shah Family “FLy4aCure”
Samir Shah is 16, and Saar Shah 15. They both attend high school in Maryland. Together, these cousins raised the most money of any Students of the Year team in the United States. They’re record breaking total has even won them the title of National Students of the Year.
Samir Shah says the pair understands exactly how important the type of research the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does is. Samir’s father, Amish, recently underwent treatment for mediastinal b-cell lymphoma. Previously, Samir, and Saar’s cousin, Ami, faced a fatal acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis. Thanks to advances in treatment, Ami has been cancer free for seven years.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society describes Samir and Saar’s fundraising campaign as “dynamic.” The highlight of the effort included a kite festival called Fly4aCure. In the local Southern Maryland community, kite flying is more than just a relaxing pastime. According to Saar, flying kits is a symbol in their community. It represents hope and having “high aspirations and elevated vision.” The pair has the same hope, Saar explains, that there will be a cure found for each type of blood cancer.
