Madison Brand, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, is turning personal loss into community action by leading a fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Brand is serving as a student visionary, heading a team of more than 20 students working to raise $50,000 in seven weeks to support blood cancer research, patient services and advocacy.
Her father, Michael, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 and underwent months of chemotherapy before he died on Feb. 18, 2018, at age 38.
“I just wanted to make a change so no one else has to go through what my dad went through,” Brand said.
Blood Cancer United played a major role in supporting her family during his illness, inspiring her to give back through the organization’s Student Visionaries of the Year program, a nationwide, teen-led fundraising initiative, Brand said.
Blood Cancer United funds medical research, provides free patient support services and leads advocacy efforts aimed at improving access to care and advancing early diagnosis. The organization recently changed its name to reflect its broader mission to combat all forms of blood cancer.
Brand first became involved with the program last year as a team member, raising more than $3,600 on her own, while helping spread awareness throughout her school and community.
“Everyone knows someone who has battled blood cancer or is currently facing it,” she said. “It’s so important to keep spreading the word about how serious it is and how many people it affects.”
This year, as a team leader, Brand expanded her efforts beyond fundraising by organizing advocacy projects and community outreach, including writing letters to state lawmakers supporting early blood cancer detection initiatives and creating cards for young patients at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
One of the team’s recent events was a community clothing drive held at JFK High School, where members collected bags of gently used clothing to be donated while also generating funds toward the team’s goal. Brand said clothing drives are effective because they allow community members to contribute in a meaningful way while helping others in need.
“So many people have clothes they no longer use,” she said. “It’s a great way to support the cause without just asking for money, and it also helps families who need clothing.”
Brand’s mother, Dayna, said she is proud of her daughter’s dedication and advocacy.
“To see her work so hard to spread awareness and help others is amazing,” she said. “It takes so much commitment, and she does it all with such heart.”
In addition to the clothing drive, the team has hosted fundraising events, including an ice cream night at Catch the Wave frozen yogurt shop in Plainview, and has partnered with COBS Bread in Merrick for a month-long fundraiser, with a portion of proceeds supporting the campaign. Upcoming plans also include raffle baskets and a virtual bingo event.
Brand said one of the most emotional moments of her involvement came last year when she was selected to speak at the Long Island Student Visionaries closing gala as a standout team member.
“It felt really special to share my experience and how important this organization is to me and my family,” she said.
When asked what she thinks her father would say about her efforts today, Brand paused before answering. “I think he would be really proud,” she said. “I know he’d be happy to see me trying to make a change.”
As the campaign continues, Brand hopes her work inspires others — especially young people — to get involved in community service and fundraisers for cancer research.
“Even students can make a big impact,” her mother said. “It’s all about supporting one another and spreading awareness.”
