Dear Friends and Family, 

I have personally seen blood cancers and other cancers affect the lives of many people that I know and love. So, when I was nominated for a leadership program to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I didn’t hesitate to say YES! 

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or LLS) runs the Student of the Year campaign for high school students to help raise money for blood cancer research and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is an amazing organization that has invested more than $1.3 billion in cutting edge research, funding nearly all of today’s most promising advances in blood cancer treatment. Since 2017, LLS has helped advance more than 85% of FDA-approved blood cancer treatments.  And since blood is more easily studied than tumors, blood cancer research leads to progress in treatments of other cancers as well. Also, since leukemia is the #1 most diagnosed form of childhood cancer, LLS is committed to developing less toxic cancer treatments especially for kids.

My grandfather (pictured with me above about to hit the links) has been battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) for many years as a result of being exposed to Agent Orange when he was a Naval Officer serving in Vietnam. No one should have to go through what he has gone through, and I feel so lucky that I have had many years with him because he has had access to cutting-edge treatments. Given that 40% of all children’s cancers are blood cancers and my personal connections to blood cancer, I decided to join the effort to help stop blood cancers and fight cancer for everyone. 
I am running as a co-candidate with my partner Patrick Feit (pictured with me above at Oratory Prep), and together our team “KIEp FEITing!” has a goal of raising $50,000 from January 12th to March 3, 2021! Yes, you read that correctly, more than $50,000 in 7 weeks, which will go directly to LLS in support of its longstanding mission. We know this is an ambitious undertaking, but we know that we can achieve it with the help of our awesome friends and families.

I am asking for your support to keep fighting blood cancer and cancer research. All donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made by using this link starting today!  https://events.lls.org/cran/northjerseysoy22/kbergin

I hope to see your name come through, and make sure to leave a message! Also, if your company would like to donate or sponsor my campaign, feel free to reach out to me and I would be happy to make a presentation!  

I appreciate all that have already supported me from our parish. Thank you in advance for your generous support and remember every donation counts!


Thanks,
Kieran Bergin