Local high schoolers set new Toledo fundraising mark for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
SYLVANIA, Ohio — A group of Sylvania high school students transformed personal tragedy into community action, raising a record-breaking $260,000 for blood cancer research and patient support through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries campaign.
Sylvania Southview senior Jack Bauer joined the fundraising effort while navigating a challenging year that included the recent loss of his sister, Charley Bauer, to leukemia.
“It all started when she came back from a trip from Fort Lauderdale,” Jack Bauer said. “She felt like she almost had some sinus infection. They said something was abnormal with her blood, did more tests, and then they found these blasts of leukemia throughout her blood. That’s when it all started, and it hit us very fast.”
Charley spent her 21st birthday in the hospital before passing away about a month ago.
Bauer teamed up with Sylvania Northview senior Paige Labudda and other classmates to create “Cats Curing Cancer,” raising funds through community outreach, business partnerships and events including a 10-hour dance marathon.
“It’s honestly kind of surreal to see the number on paper of what we have raised,” Labudda said. “It’s really cool to see how much money we’re raising and how that will affect people.”
The funds will provide practical support for families facing blood cancer diagnoses.
“As far as gas money, which I know is a concern for me when I’d visit my sister in Columbus, therapy — my parents need a lot of therapy right now, that’s for sure — and therapy is going to be free,” Bauer said.
Teacher Deanna McAlees, who serves on the community committee supporting student efforts, expressed pride in her students’ philanthropic work.
“It makes me remember why I went into teaching and what I love about being able to watch these kids grow up,” McAlees said.
The seven-week campaign concluded last month with “Cats Curing Cancer” setting a new Toledo fundraising record. In total, twelve student teams across northwest Ohio collected nearly $1 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
This article was published by Amanda Fay on 2025-04-15 12:36:00
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