Avery Gerdes was on a family trip when she was diagnosed with leukemia at age three. She went through a series of intensive blood treatments over the next four years. The Sycamore High School Senior can now say she’s been cancer free for ten years. She is active in clubs like Rotary Interact and enjoys sports like volleyball and soccer. She plans to pursue an early childhood education curriculum in college.
Gerdes admits that because of her young age she does not fully remember all that went into her treatment or the hardships endured by her family, but she knows she wants to give back to the organization that supported her. Through a program called “Young Visionaries” organized by the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, Gerdes and others like her are raising money while learning about philanthropic leadership. She has a fundraising goal of $30,000. One of the members of her fundraising team is lifelong friend and mentor Rotarian Julie Sgarlata who knew Gerdes and her family from their church preschool program.
The ”Young Visionaries” training builds on the fundraising pillars of the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. These are research, education and support for patients and their families, and advocacy to help break down barriers to care. Gerdes says she wants to see a day without fear of blood cancers. A fundraising wrap-up event will be held March 9th. Individual Rotarians generously added their support for Gerdes by giving to Sgarlata and helping her make up several hundred dollars needed to exceed her personal fundraising goal. More details are available at www.llsstudentvisionaries.org.