Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is now accepting applications for Student Visionaries of the Year, a leadership development program for high school students in our region.
Students who take part spend seven weeks building real world skills like entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management, all while leading a fundraising campaign in honor of a local blood cancer patient or survivor. Students can apply individually or as a team of two or three with classmates or friends.
This year's Honored Hero is Sydney Walker, a 5-year-old from Twin City, currently being treated for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Memorial Health Children's Hospital in Savannah. She is the daughter of Sheana and Jacob Walker. Students who take part will be fundraising in Sydney's honor, and given how close to home her story is, we'd love to see some Swainsboro and Emanuel County students step up to represent her.
Beyond the leadership experience, candidates are eligible for scholarship opportunities, including a Mission Award Scholarship tied to the mission area they choose to represent (Research, Patient Support, or Advocacy), plus a top scholarship for the individual or team that raises the most funds. It's also a strong addition to a college application and will help fulfill community service hour requirements for graduating seniors.
Last year, area students raised over $330,000 in just seven weeks, with more than 180 high schoolers in Southeast Georgia taking part. This year, we'd love to see students from Swainsboro and the greater Emanuel County area represented as well.
Interested students can learn more or apply at studentvisionaries.bloodcancerunited.org, or reach out to Sarah Tigue, Campaign Development Manager, at Sarah.Tigue@bloodcancerunited.org with any questions.
