Looking to make a difference in the fight against cancers of the blood, New Richmond High School seniors Addie Fagan and Lynsey Kennedy embarked on a seven-week mission to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of the Student of the Year campaign. 
The campaign wrapped up Feb. 28 with a recognition celebration of the 18 teams in the Greater Cincinnati area that participated.
Together, the students raised a record-breaking $361,000.
“We are beyond proud of these 18 teams, and the dedication of them, their families and team members,” the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Tri-State Chapter, said in a Facebook post. “Thank you for your hard work and commitment to LLS and finding cures!!!”
Additionally, Fagan was the recipient of the Community Involvement Award, which comes with a $500 college scholarship. The award recognizes the student who best incorporated and inspired his or her community through their campaign, according to a spokesperson for LLS, Tri-State Chapter.
The Student of the Year campaign was never about winning a contest for Fagan and Kennedy. It was personal.
Addie Fagan’s grandfather died from leukemia. Lynsey Kennedy’s older brother was diagnosed with terminal leukemia as a child. He miraculously survived but carries the scars.
Future plans for both Fagan and Kennedy are heavily influenced by their experiences with cancer. After high school, Fagan plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to major in nursing. Kennedy plans to attend Xavier University for premed. She hopes to be a pediatric oncologist.