[7] Braman Bmw Jupiter At Today Issue

Recently losing her grandfather to lymphoma, 17-year-old Isabella Vega of Jupiter felt a strong connection to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. When the Student of the Year campaign was announced, she immediately applied for consideration.(Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)

CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

Kicking off in January, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society began a new campaign in Palm Beach County involving high school students.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer, with a mission of curing blood cancers and improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds are used for research and support services.

Targeting highly motivated local high schools students with a passion for philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership, the Student of the Year campaign will award a $2,500 scholarship to the student who raises the most money for LLS during a seven-week period that began Jan. 28.

Representing Jupiter High School, and vying for the title of Student of the Year, is senior Isabella Vega.

Recently losing her grandfather to lymphoma, the 17-year-old felt a strong connection to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and when the Student of the Year campaign was announced, she immediately applied for consideration.

"To see kids battling cancer is just heartbreaking," said Isabella Vega, of Jupiter. "I volunteer with many kids, especially those with special needs." Vega met with Palm Beach Children’s Hospital administrators for her fundraising campaign.. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)

Strategy: Target local businesses, hospitals

Vega’s strategy for raising funds is to target local businesses and hospitals. And she has recently begun making pitches to company executives. Her first presentation was to Pandora at The Gardens Mall, in Palm Beach Gardens, which she said was a great learning experience.

“I’ve never done anything like this before," she said.

"Even though I have researched and practiced my speech, I never know what to expect, but I believe so strongly in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that it doesn’t take long to lose the butterflies.”

Impressed with Vega, Pandora signed on as her first sponsor. She next met with Braman BMW, whom she said put her at ease, and “basically had a conversation about the different sponsorship levels available and facts about leukemia and lymphoma.”

Following this, she met with administrators at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center, in West Palm Beach, which she said she feels would be a natural fit for her goals.

According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, leukemia is the No. 1 killer of children younger than 20, and she said, “I am passionate about working with children. To see kids battling cancer is just heartbreaking. I volunteer with many kids, especially those with special needs,” she said.

Isabella Vega (right) poses with her Leukemia & Lymphoma Society campaign manager, Kellie Baker. Vega is representing Jupiter High School as she vies for the title of Student of the Year. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)

Plans for a career in pediatric physical therapy

Vega has applied to University of Florida and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with plans for a career in pediatric physical therapy. Following her presentation with St. Mary’s, she was given a tour of the Pediatric Oncology Unit, which strengthened her resolve to raise as much money as possible.

The Student of the Year campaign has several levels of sponsorship available, ranging in donation amounts from $2,500 to $25,000 with varying benefits at each level. She also encourages individual donations in any amount “where every dollar counts."

"Winning the scholarship would be great," the Student of the Year contender said, "but the big winner will be all of the people I can help.”

Leukemia & Lymphoma contributions are used for research, patient services, education and advocacy.

The facts ...

The following facts are paramount, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

Every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.Every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer.Blood cancers are the second most fatal form of cancer, second only to lung cancer.Leukemia is the leading cause of death for children younger than 20.

To get involved with Vega’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Student of the Year campaign, please Media contact campaign manager Kellie Baker at 561-623-4575.

CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORERead or Share this story: Media