The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) sixth annual Students of the Year campaign exceeded all expectations, with 17 candidate teams, comprised of 29 extraordinary high school students, raising $516,747 to help find cancer cures.

Team Blood Bound, led by Connor and Julia Davisson from Millburn High School, were named Students of the Year.

Participants in fundraising campaigns, like Students of the Year, are helping LLS make an impact on the lives of cancer patients, not someday, but today. LLS is leading the charge in exploring new paths to cures and treatments, with almost 300 cutting-edge research projects underway, many in the promising new areas of immunotherapy and personalized medicine. In addition to finding blood cancer cures, many of the treatments LLS has helped fund are now helping patients with other cancers and chronic diseases.

Team Geno’s Gang, led by Lucy Duttenhofer of Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child High School was named First Runner-Up. The Top Fundraiser Recognition Award connects the individual with one of LLS’s Research Portfolios. The portfolios include a variety of projects that focus on specific blood cancer research, so candidates may choose one that is meaningful to them.

“These students are an inspiration, they embody the idea that anyone can make a difference with hard work and dedication,” said Jana Boyer, Executive Director of LLS’s New Jersey Region. “What the candidates were able to achieve in seven weeks is truly amazing and will have a tremendous impact on the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.”

In addition to top fundraising awards, one candidate team was recognized for their commitment to the LLS Mission, Volunteerism, and Community Involvement. The Citizenship Award went to: Elizabeth Hoye of Morris County School of Technology.

2021 Students of the Year Candidates and Candidate Teams: