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Brunswick High students launch LLS student-visionaries campaign, aim to raise $100,000 for blood cancer support
Summary
Brunswick High students presented their 2025 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) campaign to the school board, describing fundraising events and a $100,000 goal to support patient services and caregivers; students emphasized community outreach and named Mick McGinnis as their honored hero.
Brunswick High School students outlined a fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) on Jan. 21, 2025, telling the Brunswick Board of Education they aim to raise $100,000 over several weeks to support patient services and caregivers.
The students said their team, Friends for a Brighter Future, now has 26 members and plans events including a Jan. 25 “Chuck a Duck” at the boys basketball game, Super Bowl squares, and a Feb. 22 magic show with Rick Smith Jr., among other activities. The group also reported prior success: a 2024 effort that raised more than $85,000 and finished second among Northeast Ohio LLS teams.
Student leaders framed the campaign as a community effort focused on patient support. “We consider it a privilege to serve our community and aid in the fight against blood cancer,” Abigail Kareem, a senior at Brunswick High School, told the board. Kareem introduced team members and outlined the group’s timeline and outreach activities. Luke Weinhauer, a junior, and Emily Wallard, a junior, also spoke about the team’s mission and past results.
Students described outreach accomplishments so far: sending more than 1,200 solicitation letters, meeting with local businesses and school staff, appearing on Channel 5, and presenting at the Cleveland Clinic’s cancer center. They said corporate supporters include Crumble, Chick-fil-A, Domino’s and Starbucks, and that the team has sold out one Super Bowl squares board and opened another.
The students named Mick (Nick) McGinnis as the team’s honored hero for the Northeastern Ohio region. Students described McGinnis’s diagnosis and treatment timeline: symptoms in January, treatment at the Cleveland Clinic, and a declaration of cancer-free status with a bell-ringing on Aug. 1, 2024. “Mick’s journey…doesn’t stop him from being the happiest kid I know,” a student speaker said while describing the community’s support for McGinnis.
Several student team members gave brief remarks describing personal reasons for joining: family experience with cancer, desire to help patients and families, and a wish to build leadership and community engagement skills. Team member Brandon Sofka said he joined because “I’ve seen what cancer can do to a family.”
Board members and district staff thanked the students for attending on a day off and for their presentation. Board members did not take any formal action on the presentation; students provided contact information, social media handles, and a QR code linking to their fundraising page for anyone wishing to support their campaign.
The presentation closed with the students inviting questions; a board member asked the group to define an “honor hero,” which students said is an LLS-selected representative for the region chosen to motivate fundraising teams.
The students left materials with the district and asked supporters to use the QR code or contact information they provided to contribute or volunteer.
