It is solved by living: Getting Back to Happiness

I have been nominated for the 2022 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Students of the Year campaign. LLS’s mission is to cure blood cancers while improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Each year this organization launches its Students of the Year (SoY) fundraising campaign, and I am running a campaign alongside one of my best friends, Gaby Martin. As you may know, SoY is a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. The title, Student(s) of the Year, as well as a scholarship, is awarded to the student or students that raise the most funds over the course of seven weeks. Alongside many others, I have a personal connection with cancer and realize how horrible this disease is. Therefore, I am determined to put forth my efforts to raise money and awareness for this cause.

Gaby attends Boyertown Area Senior High School, and we are both in 10th grade. I have leadership roles in many clubs and activities that I am involved in inside and outside of school. At Perkiomen School, I am a Proctor, Purple and Gold Team leader, Peer Tutor, and a Global Scholar Fellow. I am also very interested in the arts and participating in activities like music, theatre, and visual art. Doing all of these things helps me to be creative, and I can see myself pursuing one of these things in the future. By participating in these activities, not only am I improving myself, but I also witness the people around me improve themselves as well. I know that the arts are very important to many people, and that is one of the reasons why cancer research is so important. When people are diagnosed with cancer their whole lives change, and they are not always able to participate in the activities that make them the happiest. I truly believe that being able to do the things that you love is one of the most important factors for your overall well-being.

Cancer affects millions of people across the world, but the LLS fundraiser helps cancer research enormously. Since 2000, more than 40% of all new cancer therapies approved by the FDA were first approved for blood cancer, which not only helped save millions of lives but also provided people with the opportunity to get back to doing the things that make them happy.

My Purple & Gold Team, the Red Team has been helping me with my goal of becoming Student of the Year, as well as helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with their mission to end blood cancer. For the past few months we have been planning a charity volleyball tournament. It will be held on February 4, 2022 and the proceeds will go towards my LLS Campaign. We have put so much thought and work into this, and I can’t wait to see how the Perkiomen community will come together for this cause!

This fundraising campaign lasts from January 7 to February 26, 2022. Our team has been working hard to prepare for this campaign so we are able to raise as much as we can. All proceeds will go directly to LLS in support of its mission to find cures for blood cancer and to provide patients with access to treatments they may need.

If you would like to donate, please CLICK HERE and visit my personal fundraising page. You can also support the cause by attending a drive-in movie that Gaby and I are hosting at the Sunnybrook Ballroom on February 11.  We will be showing The Princess Bride at 7 p.m.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.  

Thank you for your support of our campaign and the work to end blood cancer.  

By Paige Iacobacci ‘24

Paige Iacobacci ’24 is a creative and talented day student from Gilbertsville, Pa. who participates in music, theater and the visual arts. Her leadership roles on campus include serving as a Proctor, Purple and Gold Team leader, Peer Tutor, and a Global Scholar Fellow.  
 

I chose Perkiomen because I felt very welcomed by everyone. I also really loved the campus and all of the different programs. I was ready for a new environment and to seize new opportunities, which Perkiomen has really given me. Everyone is so supportive in everything I do, whether it’s my LLS campaign, when I do well on a test, or when I am performing.  When people are diagnosed with cancer their whole lives change, and they are not always able to participate in the activities that make them the happiest. I truly believe that being able to do the things that you love is one of the most important factors for your overall well-being. Cancer affects millions of people across the world, but the LLS fundraiser helps cancer research enormously. Since 2000, more than 40% of all new cancer therapies approved by the FDA were first approved for blood cancer, which not only helped save millions of lives but also provided people with the opportunity to get back to doing the things that make them happy. Paige Iacobacci '24