NEWS RELEASE  

For Immediate Release  

Contact:                                                                                                 

 Monica Riojas 

Monica.Riojas@lls.org 

361-244-7836 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Announces South Central Texas Region’s 2023 San Antonio Student Visionaries of the Year Winners 

San Antonio, Texas March 5, 2023 – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)’s Student Visionaries of the Year philanthropic competition brings together thousands of high school students across the country from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are extraordinarily driven to reach their own personal best and, ultimately, help LLS fight blood cancer, a disease that is diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. and has no current means of prevention. 

Earlier this month, LLS’s South Central Texas Region announced the Student Visionary of the Year winner, Alexandra Smithwick, 16, of Smithson Valley High School in San Antonio, Texas raised $176,557, the most funds across the San Antonio Market.  

Alexandra Smithwick is a currently a Junior, plays competitive soccer and is on the varsity team at Smithson Valley High School. As soon as Alexandra heard about this program, she immediately wanted to join the effort and make a huge impact. Alexandra is passionate about being involved in her community and was thrilled for the opportunity to bring awareness to the LLS Mission by fundraising with the support of her team. 

Student Visionaries of the Year has helped LLS invest more than $1.6 billion in cutting-edge research worldwide, fueling nearly every critical advancement in blood cancer treatment that spans the most promising cancer research.  

New this year, each candidate team chose an LLS Mission Pillar to represent and bring awareness to throughout their seven-week campaign. These three pillars, Research, Patient Support, and Advocacy, make up the very core of what LLS does.  

The 2023 Mission Award recipients are: 

• Research Award: Team Be The Change led by Aarav Gedala, Sophomore - Keystone School, Tanvi Bandaru, Junior - Health Careers High School and Nandini Nukala, Sophomore - Keystone School 

• Patient Support Award: Team Esperanza led by Felix Castillo, Senior – Central Catholic High School 

• Advocacy Award: Team Ensure The Cure led by Rashmi Basu, Sophomore – Keystone School 

“Congratulations to our Student Visionary of the Year Alexandra Smithwick, our Mission Pillar winners – Team Be The Change, Team Esperanza, and Team Ensure The Cure, and all the relentless candidates, supporters, and volunteers who helped to make Student Visionaries of the Year a incredible success this year!” said Clarissa Flores, LLS’s South Central Texas executive director. “America’s youngest generation truly sees the vision of a cancer-free future and they are leading the charge to create it with LLS.” 

For more information or to get involved, visit llsstudentvisionaries.org and follow on social media, @LLSusa, #LLSVisionaries. 

Blood cancer patients and their families should contact the LLS Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., ET. 

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 
 
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader in the fight against blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. 
 
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. 
 
For additional information, visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
 
LLS is one of Fast Company's "2022 Brands That Matter." As the only cancer organization on the list, LLS stands out among brands around the world for its relevancy, cultural impact, ingenuity, and mission impact. 

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