(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.)

The Upper Plains region of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to announce that Sarah Larson of Clearwater has been nominated as a candidate for LLS’s 2023 Mission Visionaries of the Year campaign, kicking off Thursday, March 9. Candidates across the country will form powerful fundraising teams and compete in honor of two local blood cancer survivors to raise the most funds for blood cancer research. Sarah Larson is part of an elite group of community and business leaders who will compete for the title of LLS’s Visionary of the Year. 

Larson was honored to accept her nomination and is taking on this challenge in memory of her daughter, Kayleen, whom leukemia took from their family in 2013, and her dad who also passed away from this horrific disease in 2021. Larson’s no stranger to teaming up with LLS, having formerly led The Kayleen Larson Legacy Foundation. She joins a select group of candidates dedicated to furthering LLS’ mission. By participating in this campaign, they’re motivated to bring hope to cancer patients everywhere by making an impact in the fight against blood cancer.  As a candidate, Sarah will raise funds for a world without blood cancers between March 9 and May 20, 2023. The candidate who raises the most funds during the 10-week campaign will be awarded the title of Minneapolis Visionary of the Year at the Grand Finale on Saturday, May 20 at the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis. The local winner is then entered into the competition for the National Visionary of the Year title. 

LLS is the world’s leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers and ensuring that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. Every 180 seconds, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer across the U.S. Through programs like the Of the Year campaign, LLS has invested nearly $1.5 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. The funds raised through LLS’s Visionaries of the Year are used for:

• Research to advance lifesaving therapies like immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine, which are saving lives today.

• Free blood cancer information, education and support for patients and families.

• National and local advocacy efforts driving policies that safely accelerate new treatments and ensure patients have access to care so that they can live longer, healthier lives.

There are many ways you can support Sarah in her quest for a world without blood cancers. Become a member of a campaign team, sponsor the Grand Finale on May 20 or simply pledge to make a donation during their campaign.  

Visit the Visionaries of the Year website, LLS.org/visionaries and learn how you can become engaged with LLS.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a 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 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.