On Feb. 19, Teen Empowerment Club hosted a meeting in partnership with Blood Cancer United team Persist to Assist, where students created crafts and origami to donate and support patients and families affected by blood cancer. 

According to bloodcancerunited.org, Blood Cancer United’s mission is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and their families who are dealing with the devastating consequences of cancer. They help fund life-saving research all over the world, provide free information and support for people, and are a leading voice for people who are looking for quality and affordable care. 

Every year teams from all over the country compete with other teams within their state to see who can raise the most money during a seven week campaign and raise awareness. This year, the legacy team, Persist to Assist led by Zoe Rankin ‘28, decided to show their support by partnering with Bishop Gorman’s Teen Empowerment Club. 

Rankin stated, “Since we chose patient support for our mission pillar, we want to make sure that patients feel supported in the events that we do. This club event would support Blood Cancer United and patients because it would raise awareness for the patients and also do something meaningful to show them they are surrounded by care and compassion.” 

Persist to Assist reached out to the club to help promote and spread information about Blood Cancer United, and Teen Empowerment was more than happy to help support. Members from Persist to Assist taught the students in the club to make various origami crafts such as little hearts and cranes. Students also wrote inspirational letters to go along with the crafts to lift patients spirits while they are receiving treatment. 

Laila Lazzara ‘27 mentioned, “This club supports Blood Cancer United and patients dealing with blood cancer because we always try to empower and make people feel loved, so writing cards and making origami to hand out really shows how much we care and want to help.” 

This meeting was a small act of kindness to show cancer patients and their loved ones that Bishop Gorman is always here to help and support even during rough times.