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2025 

CLEVELAND

CAMPAIGN

TEAM

MEMBER

HANDBOOK

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As a Student Visionaries of the Year team member, you will be raising funds to celebrate Mick McGinnis, our Honored Hero. Honored Heroes are local blood cancer survivors.

Mick McGinnis

Mick's journey with B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia began with symptoms of knee pain and fever. His family's decision to seek medical attention on January 14th, 2022, marked the beginning of a challenging path that led him to the Cleveland Clinic main campus. Despite the tough road ahead, Mick has shown incredible strength and resilience throughout his battle against leukemia.

Now, with August 1, 2024, approaching, Mick is poised to ring the bell, signifying the end of his cancer journey. 

OUR MISSION:

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

THREE PILLARS OF OUR MISSION

We have invested more than $1.6 billion in the most pioneering science worldwide since 1949.

Research

We drive policy changes that accelerate new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care.

Advocacy

We are the leading source of free education and support for blood cancer patients and families.

Patient Support

Our Honored Hero

MEET OUR LOCAL HONORED HERO

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Fundraising Workshop

Saturday, October 19th

Taussig Cancer Center

Campaign Kickoff Celebration

Friday, January 17th

Scene 75

Grand Finale

Saturday, March 8th

Windows on the River

Student Visionaries of the Year

OVERVIEW

Visionaries look to the future—and see infinite possibility.

They challenge the status quo—and make the impossible possible.

They boldly imagine a better world –and lead the charge to create it.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was built on that same vision -of a better world -one without blood cancers.

Student Visionaries of the Year is a philanthropic leadership development program through which highly motivated, high-school leaders embark on a journey of professional growth, while working to raise as much as possible for the LLS mission. These tenacious young changemakers fundraise for LLS in honor of blood cancer survivors. Titles of Student Visionaries of the Year are awarded to the candidate teams who raise the most funds in their community during the 7-week competition.

IMPORTANT DATES

COLLEGE APPLICATION & RESUME ENHANCEMENTS

PRESENTATION SKILLS

This campaign has taught us to be strong leaders, effective motivators, and most of all, good people. For at the end of the day we all seek one mission: to beat cancer once and for all.

- Former Team Member

MARKETING

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Through this campaign, candidates and team members foster professional skills like:

COMMUNICATIONS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FINANCIAL LITERACY

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How to Make an Impact as a Team Member!

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Register as a campaign team member

Visit https://www.llsstudentvisionaries.org/join-a-team to register and create your personal fundraising webpage, once on this page search for the Candidate whose team you are joining, then select “Join Your Team” on the right side of the

Candidate fundraising page under “Get Involved” and follow

the prompts.

Participate in your Team Meeting

Connect with your team and LLS staff to build your plan for success.

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Personalize your fundraising letter, email and webpage**!

What’s YOUR why? Use words and photos to share why you support LLS. Your supporters will donate directly to your page. Note: Fundraising pages will be available no later than one month prior to Kickoff.

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Aim High!

Achieve the $5K Club through your fundraising efforts. LLS staff are here to help!

Ready, set, FUNDRAISE!

Share your fundraising URL in emails, letters and social media to your friends and family. Explore corporate sponsorship opportunities with your personal connections and work with your candidate team to make asks. Note: Sponsorships range from $3,500 to $75,000 and companies receive great marketing benefits and exposure by partnering with LLS!

WHERE DONATIONS COME FROM

80% of all money raised comes from online fundraising and general donations (i.e. checks or cash gifts).

PRO TIP: The #1 reason someone donates is because they are asked! Be prepared to ask and follow-up throughout the campaign.

PRO TIP: Planning can start now, you can make “asks,” but dollars cannot be collected until Kickoff! Remember that funds, including those from sponsorships, cannot be collected before Kickoff.

PRO TIP: Watch for sample emails and text messages from the LLS Team to help along the way!

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  • GOAL PLANNING - Hold a minimum of 1 Goal Planning Meetings with LLS Staff & Parent

  • FUNDRAISING PAGE – Personalize your fundraising page by January 16th, 2024.

  • CONTACT LIST - Working with your parents create an extensive contact list with everyone you know and as much contact info as possible (minimum 50 contacts)

  • EMAILS & LETTERS
    • Send a minimum of 50 kick off letters. 
    • Personally send email blast with a link to your personal fundraising page to at least (50) people by 4PM on kick off day. Must copy LLS Staff.

Team Member Hall of Fame

Requirements must be fulfilled before 1/17/2025

  • Letter of recommendation from your LLS staff partner
  • Recognition on the Eastern Great Lakes social media pages
  • Name recognition at the Cleveland Student Visionaries of the Year kickoff and grand finale celebrations.

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Fundraising Rewards & Recognition

**Funds must be raised by the Incentive Deadline of  February 26th

to earn invitation(s) to and be recognized at Grand Finale. 

THE REWARD

  • Grand Finale Recognition

THE CHALLENGE

  • Personalize your fundraising page
  • Send email blast with a link to your personal fundraising page prior to Kickoff celebration to at least 50 contacts and copy LLS staff

THE REWARD

  • Receive a $50 Gift Card

THE CHALLENGE

  • Be one of the first 10 team members to raise $250 on your personal fundraising page within the first 7 days of the campaign

WEEK 1 FUNDRAISING INCENTIVE

TEAM MEMBER HALL OF FAME

THE REWARD

  • 2 tickets to Grand Finale

EACH TEAM MEMBER THAT RAISES $2,000

THE REWARD

  • 2 invitations to and recognition at Grand Finale* NOTE: The first two invitations are earned when you raise $2k and the second two invitations when you reach $5K 
  • 5K Club pin
  • Recognition in local social media and Tribute Journal

THE CHALLENGE

  • Fundraise $5,000 through your personal fundraising page during the 7-week campaign

$5K CLUB**

THE REWARD

  • Receive a special award and recognition at the Grand Finale*

THE CHALLENGE

  • Make the biggest impact and raise the most funds across all fundraising team members

TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

*Grand Finale benefits subject to modification to ensure safety of participants, including patients & survivors.

Individuals who raise or donate $50,000+ are eligible to link their name with a cutting-edge LLS-funded mission impact portfolio. For more information, click here.

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Road To Kickoff: Actions For Success

Complete the actions below before campaign kickoff and lead your team to incredible success! Schedule a meeting with LLS staff to create a personal fundraising plan - we’re here to help!

AREA OF FOCUS

STEPS TO TAKE

WHY NOW?

COMPLETE

Team Meetings

  • Your team will meet at least once with LLS staff prior to kickoff to discuss all of your amazing fundraising ideas! 
  • Make sure to not only join these meetings but speak up! Ask questions and share your ideas! 
  • Teamwork makes the dream work! Help your team turn ideas into action by taking the lead on creating your donor list or contacting a potential sponsor for a meeting. You’ll be glad you started early! 

Goal: 

Attend at least 1 meeting

Corporate Involvement   

  • Make at least 2 meeting requests
  • Complete at least 1 ask
  • Continue to grow your potential sponsorship list - brainstorming at least 20 companies and share with your candidate
  • Start NOW! You can secure commitments from companies before the 7-weeks begins. Imagine going into the campaign with $10K, $20K, $50K in sponsorship impact!

Goal: 

2 weeks 

after team meeting

Letter/Email 

  • Create contact list (goal to get to at least 50 contacts)
  • Share contact list and finalized letter with LLS Staff for review
  • Begin writing your weekly emails to send during the 7 weeks
  • If you don’t ask, the answer is always no – so engage EVERYONE you know by continuing to grow your contact list.
  • Follow up is key! Get ahead and write your emails to send during the 7-week campaign.

Goal: 

2 months  before Kickoff 

Personal Asks   

  • Reach out to secure meetings with everyone on your personal ask list
  • Complete at least 4 asks
  • Maximize your impact by taking advantage of this pre-campaign time to individually meet with those who have the capacity to give a larger gift.

Goal: 

1 month before Kickoff  

Fundraising Webpage**

  • Personalize your fundraising webpage. Use words and photos to share why you support LLS. 
  • **Fundraising pages will be available no later than one month prior to Kickoff.
  • Personalizing your webpage is the first step in achieving Team Member Hall of Fame!
  • Once the campaign kicks off, your supporters can donate directly to your page.

Goal: 

1 month before Kickoff