Local (Newbury Park) High School Juniors Andrew Castillo and Krish Madhavan formed the "Panthers Against Cancer," campaign as nominees for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Gold Coast Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. They were driven by personal experiences and a collective commitment to eradicate blood cancers.
Andrew's personal brush with the terror of leukemia in his family was a transformative experience. He shared, "After a tumultuous year of uncertainties and misdiagnoses, we were relieved to learn that my mom was cancer-free. This ordeal opened my eyes to the profound emotional distress cancer inflicts on families. It inspired me to join forces with LLS, aiming to spare others from similar agony."
Krish was inspired by his friend, Braden Bauwens, who introduced him to the LLS opportunity to support the blood cancer community and create a significant impact. He also lost a close family member to cancer.
"The loss of my grandfather was a watershed moment for me. It exposed the harsh realities of life’s fragility and cancer's brutal impact. Our campaign honors his memory and strives for a future where cancer no longer exists."
Their team included Trent Elam, Wes Shapiro, Parker Koppenjan, Yash Bhamre, Enzo Giordano, and Tyler Turner on a mission to raise $75,000 to fund vital research into leukemia and lymphoma.
Krish remarked on the broader impact of our efforts: "Participating in this campaign not only hones our skills and enriches our knowledge but also empowers us to make a tangible difference in our community by supporting a deeply important cause."
Andrew also highlighted the personal growth and community impact facilitated by the campaign.
"It is an exceptional leadership and development opportunity. We, alongside peers and mentors from various generations, focus on making a significant impact through fundraising for cancer research, which also provides valuable community service experiences and professional development."
The team concluded their campaign on a high note, successfully raising close to $60,000. These funds will directly support the dedicated research efforts of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as specifically targeted by the campaign. The entire team extends their heartfelt thanks to their parents, family, friends and donors for their unwavering support. Special appreciation goes to the LLS organization, particularly Jenn Lacy, the Campaign Development Manager, whose guidance was invaluable throughout this journey.
"We, alongside peers and mentors from various generations, focus on making a significant impact through fundraising for cancer research."