Julia Lerner, Mei Sutherland and Nishi Manikandan of Hopkinton High School and their team, Team Hopkinton, ran a highly successful fundraising effort as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) fourth annual Students of the Year Campaign.

For the past seven weeks, the girls’ fundraising team has been heading to local businesses to ask for sponsorships and using their personal connections to raise funds. To date, the team has raised $9,866 for LLS.

In all there were 14 candidate teams, comprised of 26 extraordinary high school students, with a goal of raising $250,000 to help find cancer cures. All students will be recognized for their admirable efforts at the Grand Finale Gala in June at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.

Participants in fundraising campaigns like Students of the Year are helping LLS make an impact on the lives of cancer patients. This year, these students participated in this campaign in honor of a local patient, Ellie, a 5-year-old still battling cancer. Ellie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2018.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the region, the campaign has been extended past the original seven weeks so that LLS may better support patients during this time. All cancer patients are at a higher risk of contracting and suffering complications from COVID-19 due to their immune-compromised status. However, the HHS girls and their team are committed to continue their fundraising campaign during these times of uncertainty to raise funds for patients who need it now more than ever.

To donate, visit the girls’ fundraising page here.