Student Visionaries of the Year Pittsburgh

Student Visionaries of the Year

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.

They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.

They boldly imagine a better world – and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was built on that same vision - of a better world - one without blood cancers. Through our Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, we are excited to recognize these young leaders for being what we need most, visionaries.

Student Visionaries of the Year is a philanthropic leadership development program through which highly motivated, high-school leaders embark on a journey of professional growth, fostering professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management all while working to raise as much as possible for LLS’s mission.

These tenacious young changemakers fundraise for LLS in honor of blood cancer survivors. The titles Student Visionaries of the Year are awarded to the candidate teams who raise the most funds in their community during the 7-week competition.

2025 PITTSBURGH STUDENT VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR

In 2025, 17 motivated candidate teams and their 133 dedicated team members raised an astounding $552,944 in just 7 WEEKS through fundraising for LLS's cutting-edge blood cancer research and patient services. CONGRATULATIONS to our 2025 Pittsburgh Student Visionaries of the Year participants on such an incredible impact!

A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO OUR WINNERS:

First-Place Winner: Team Catching Cures led by Charlotte Rattner, Hope Pekarcik, and Caroline Leland. (Charlotte Rattner not pictured)

Team Catching Cures

Runners-Up: Team Having Faith for a Cure led by Faith Schnur.

Faith Schnur

MISSION PILLAR AWARDS & MORE:

Research Award: Abby Rayman, Team Vision-Abby.

abby rayman

Policy & Advocacy Award: Samuel Boyer II, Team Mission: Possible.

Sam B

Patient Education & Support Award: Caitlin Baculik, Team Cure Coalition.

caitlyn b

Team Member of the Year: Luca Bertucci, Team Panthers Against Cancer.

Luca B

WANT TO SEE WHAT THE 2024 PITTSBURGH STUDENT VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR GRAND FINALE WAS LIKE? CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW!

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR 2025 PITTSBURGH STUDENT VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES & TEAM MEMBERS!

We are currently recruiting for our 2026 Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign - if you know an amazing high school leader looking to make a difference, please nominate them today!