Through Blood Cancer United's Student Visionaries of the Year program, high school students across the U.S. raise money to support cancer research and patient services while gaining leadership and business experience.
The seven-week fundraising competition brings together students, families and local businesses to support the organization's mission of improving the lives of blood cancer patients.
Clarissa Flores, executive director of South Central Texas for Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said she has no doubt the Austin program will reach its goal of raising $875,000 this year.
How does the Student Visionaries of the Year program work?
Student Visionaries of the Year was introduced to the South Central Texas Region in 2017, and it invites students in grades 9-12 to participate individually or in teams of up to three.
In the months leading up to the competition, participants recruit friends, family members and community leaders to support their campaigns. With guidance from Blood Cancer United, students develop business plans, identify potential sponsors and more.
Once the seven-week campaign begins, students can collect donations through online fundraising, corporate sponsorships, individual contributions and community events. Flores said that students often set goals of raising $50,000, challenging them to build professional relationships, communicate their goals and confidently approach potential donors.
“With parent and staff support, high school students have the opportunity to sit in front of a CEO of a company and ask them for a $25,000 sponsorship for a philanthropic mission, so these students are gaining invaluable skills," Flores said.
The program also encourages continued participation, with former candidates often nominating younger students from their schools to carry on their fundraising efforts.
How can Austin-area students participate in the upcoming campaign?
For the 2027 campaign, Blood Cancer United hopes to recruit 29 teams throughout Austin and surrounding communities, with 24 teams already recruited as of October.
The competition will begin on Jan. 8, 2027 and conclude with a Grand Finale celebration on Feb. 27, 2027 at Brazos Hall, where participants will learn how much their fellow candidates raised. Fundraising totals remain confidential throughout the competition, with the top fundraisers recognized at its conclusion.
The program also recognizes outstanding students nationally. In 2026, Orion Greene of San Francisco, California, was named the National Student Visionary of the Year after raising over $1.2 million in honor of his father, John, who passed away from acute myeloid leukemia in 2025.
Flores said John had previously advocated in Washington, D.C., for improved access to care, making his son's fundraising efforts especially meaningful.
Applications and nominations remain open for Austin-area students interested in participating in the upcoming campaign.
How does the program make a difference for cancer patients?
Funds raised through Student Visionaries of the Year support the broader mission of Blood Cancer United, which has invested in cancer research and patient services since its founding in 1949.
The organization awarded its first research grant in 1952 and continues to fund advancements in treatment. According to Flores, discoveries made through blood cancer research can also contribute to advancements in treating other cancers and diseases.
Flores recently learned that one blood cancer survivor’s medication helped them overcome their diagnosis, and it had been developed with support from research funding provided by Blood Cancer United.
"To know that the funding that we provided helped fund the drug that helped a patient overcome their cancer diagnosis and lead a cancer-free life is so rewarding," Flores said.
Beyond research, the organization provides personalized support through its Information Resource Center, which connects patients and caregivers with health care professionals, including oncology nurses.
Patients can receive assistance with:
Financial support: Accessing assistance programs for treatment-related expenses, including copays and parking costs.
Educational resources: Understanding diagnoses, treatment options and what to expect throughout the cancer journey.
Health care navigation: Addressing insurance challenges, medical bills and other obstacles to receiving care.
Emotional support: Connecting with resources to help patients and families navigate the emotional challenges of cancer.
Flores emphasized that the organization's support continues throughout treatment and into survivorship.
"Working with patients throughout the entirety of their treatment and into survivorship is really important. Whether it's financial, psychosocial or educational, we really aim to be there," Flores said.
That commitment has led to tangible results:
$933,662 invested in research programs in Austin over the past decade, supporting patients nationwide and in the Austin community.
$984,000 in co-pay assistance awarded to patients in the Austin area over the past fiscal year, helping reduce financial barriers to care.
2,142 patients and caregivers served in the Austin area over the past 5 years with free education, information and personalized support.
$55,800 awarded to patients in the Austin area in the past fiscal year to help pay for travel, food, utilities and other hidden costs of cancer care.
Why is community involvement important to the program's success?
Serving 92 counties throughout South Central Texas, Blood Cancer United relies on volunteers, donors and community partners to advance its mission.
Flores said the Student Visionaries of the Year program is particularly meaningful because it gives young people an opportunity to become advocates for cancer patients while bringing their communities together around a shared cause.
With the 2027 campaign approaching, she expressed gratitude for the Austin community's continued support and emphasized the organization's commitment to helping local patients and families.
To learn more about the program or apply, visit studentvisionaries.bloodcancerunited.org.
What kind of assistance can blood cancer patients receive through the organization's Information Resource Center?
The Information Resource Center connects patients and caregivers with health care professionals, including oncology nurses, to provide personalized support.
Patients can receive financial support to access assistance programs for treatment-related expenses, such as copays and parking costs. They can also access educational resources to help understand diagnoses, treatment options and what to expect during their cancer journey.
Additionally, the center helps patients navigate health care challenges like insurance issues and medical bills, and connects patients and families with emotional support resources to help them handle the emotional challenges of cancer.
Information Resource Center: https://bloodcancerunited.org/resources/patients/information-specialists
Or call, (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CTWhen does the 2027 Student Visionaries of the Year fundraising campaign take place?
When does the 2027 Student Visionaries of the Year fundraising campaign take place?
The fundraising competition is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8, 2027, and it will conclude with the Grand Finale celebration on Feb. 27, 2027 at Brazos Hall.