Helping to pay for cancer treatment

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides treatment for children with cancer all around the world and enables these patients to afford care by paying for all medical expenses. St. Jude has launched an initiative, the St. Jude Leadership Society, for high-performing students who share a passion for leadership and service. Through being involved in the St. Jude Leadership Society, I have raised money for patients and expanded my interpersonal skills.

In the St. Jude Leadership Society, unlike other years, we met virtually on Zoom once a month, during which I met other motivated teens. Each meeting, there was a different guest speaker that inspired me to discover more about healthcare and taught me more about different positions in the medical field. As I aim to pursue a career in the medical field, this gave me an introduction to various career-path options. Additionally, my mentors taught me life skills and values such as good citizenship, diversity and inclusion, and leadership. During meetings, I also listened to St. Jude’s patients, whose stories further inspired me to go into the medical field. 

All of the funds raised from St. Jude fundraisers go directly to financially assisting patients; this enables patients and their families to focus on getting better instead of their treatment’s financial factors. Although challenges arose due to Covid-19, I successfully raised money through actively reaching out to businesses, utilizing social media, and completing door-to-door asks. Early this month, I hosted a Zoom where I taught elementary school children how to bake brownies and requested optional donations. Through contacting businesses and leaders, I formed stronger connections to my community. So far, I have raised over $700 and will fundraise longer. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make an impact on families by helping them afford treatments. 

You can create your own fundraiser, get involved in fitness fundraisers, and many more activities. Visit this link for ideas about how you can get involved.

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