Cancer Research Advocacy

I became involved with cancer research advocacy when my father was diagnosed with Lymphoma when I was 12 years old.

My family became involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and began to help with fundraising campaigns. When I entered high school, I realized that my rural community of St. Mary’s County, Maryland didn’t have a dedicated awareness campaign for blood cancers. However, when I worked with a team of local oncologists to research the number of cancer patients in the surrounding counties, we found over 500 patients affected by blood cancers.

Determined to do something to help families afflicted with blood cancers in my local community, I decided to start a festival to fundraise for research. Inspired by a beautiful kite festival I attended in Washington, D.C., my cousin and I decided to start the ‘Fly4aCure’ Kite Festival. Founded in 2018, we set out to invite everyone we knew, as well as securing local online newspaper advertising. On March 17, 2018, over 1,200 people came out to the local fairgrounds to raise kites to elevate the hopes and aspirations of blood cancer patients. Attendees included Congressman Steny Hoyer, and the President of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Michael Sachtleben.

This festival led us to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year campaign for high school students who wish to make a difference and have an interest in leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism. When we finished our campaign we had raised over $413,000 for LLS and were named National Students of the Year 2018.  In addition to raising funds, we also raised awareness by recognizing blood cancer patients in our community.

My sister Neelam, following in my footsteps, will carry on the tradition by hosting the Annual Fly4aCure Kite Festival on October 12, 2019.