San Antonio, Texas – (March 5, 2022) The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)’s Students of the Year fundraising campaign brings together thousands of students across the country from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are extraordinarily driven to reach their own personal fundraising best and, ultimately, help LLS fight blood cancer, a disease that is diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. The LLS’s South Central Texas Region announced the 2022 local “Students of the Year” winners, Lance Beeghley, (16), of New Braunfels High School in New Braunfels, Texas, and Parker Joseph, (16), of New Braunfels Christian Academy in New Braunfels, Texas, who raised the most funds across the San Antonio Market, raising nearly $84,000.

Team Lance & Parker will have the opportunity to name an LLS research grant in honor of whomever they choose. 

Runner Up Winners, Chloe Navarro, (16) and Patrick Thornton (16), of Boerne V. Champion High School in Boerne, Texas led a legacy team of 25 + team members.

Students of the Year is a seven-week philanthropic leadership development program during which students foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for LLS. Top local fundraisers become eligible to win the national title. The students raise money in honor of a local patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer.

The funds raised through Students 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 accelerate new treatments and ensure patients have access to care so that they can live longer, healthier lives.