Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin Student of the Year Gala 

On March 6, Susan was honored to be a guest speaker at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin Student of the Year Gala held at the Madison Concourse Hotel.  

 The gala is the culminating event for the LLS Students of the Year program.  This philanthropic leadership program fosters professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order for young people to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  The title Student(s) of the Year is awarded to the candidate or co-candidates in each community who raises the most funds during the competition.  This winning student or team is awarded a college scholarship for their hard work.  This year’s award went to two sophomore girls from Columbus Wisconsin high school. Their team entitled “Answer to Cancer” raised over $70,000.00.

We Believe in Katie also presented a $500.00 runner-up scholarship award to Tia Beirne, an energetic and outgoing student from West High School. 

The students collectively raised over $250,000.00 to fight all blood cancers.  

The most honored guest of the evening was Noah Sanger, the LLS Madison Chapter Honored Hero.  Noah is a 7 year old that lives in Middleton Wisconsin and has had leukemia since the age of 4 and is still fighting it today.  

 During the live auction portion of the evening,  Noah’s family and friends were the highest and very lively bidders, who won the Green Bay Packer Build-A-Bear.  That little bear was a huge success raising over $900 for LLS.  After Noah was presented his Packer Bear prize he left the stage and walked over to our table gave it to us “for Gracie”.  Susan was humbled and could barely eek out a very tearful thank you.