Meet the Pine-Richland Student Visionaries of the Year

Student Visionaries of the Year is a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) fundraising program in which high school students raise money and increase awareness of blood cancers in support of LLS’ mission. Student Visionaries of the Year titles are awarded to the teams that raise the most money during the seven-week competition that kicked off on February 2.

Two Pine-Richland High School students are participating in the 2024 campaign, each with their own motivations and strategies, but with a shared goal to increase funding for LLS and increase awareness of blood cancer.

Team Nora’s Warriors

Last year, junior Noah Mackie helped raise $45,000 with Team Secure a Cure, led by senior Zach Howard who nominated Noah to lead a team this year. Inspired by last year’s experience, Noah is also motivated by his father, who has previously raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as by a personal connection. Noah’s cousin battled Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and has been cancer free for two years.

“Cancer just hits you,” Noah said. “It’s not really something you can prepare for. Unfortunately it’s something that affects so many people, and I think if we can have a world without cancer, that’s what we should try to do.”

Noah is teaming up with Pine-Richland juniors Claire Dosch, Bradan Lenz, Kennedy Lutz, Mackenzie Mercuri and Katie Pifer to raise money during the seven-week campaign. His team of 11 also includes North Allegheny students and several adults. Together, they are part of Team Nora’s Warriors, a nod to this year’s local LLS hero, seven-year-old Nora Caporali of Apollo. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at two years old, today Nora is cancer free.

Team Nora’s Warriors is working with local businesses and individuals with personal connections to cancer to raise money. Noah said plans for fundraising events are underway to reach their $100,000 goal. “We’re aiming high!” Noah said. “If we work together, I think we can make it happen.”

Learn more about Team Nora’s Warriors on their fundraising page and on Instagram.

Team Breaking the Odds

Senior Jaden Persaud is no stranger to fundraising and advocating for blood cancer research. When Jaden was 10 years old, his mother Jessica Kuhns was diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), a blood cancer that causes bone marrow to make too many or too few blood cells. 

Jaden became her caretaker and advocate, and for the last eight years, has worked to raise both money and awareness for LLS. In addition to participating in the Student Visionaries of the Year program last year, raising more than $30,000, he has helped to raise over $10,000 with Light the Night, has hosted barbecues for first responders and lemonade fundraisers, and has raised money to donate to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. 

In 2018, Jaden’s efforts were recognized by CURE Magazine, who named him an MPN Hero, one of eight that year, and the first child to ever be honored. Jaden’s mother was named an MPN Hero in 2022, and both served on the panel of judges to select the 2023 class. Recently Jaden was asked to write a memoir about his experiences as a caregiver.

Jaden was ten years old when he was told to prepare for his mother’s funeral. “I still remember that moment,” Jaden said. “I can’t lose her now.”

Jaden has partnered with seven fellow students this year, dubbing themselves Team Breaking the Odds. Team members include seniors Corbin Carter, Morgan Cappola, James Cerney and Blake Thompson, juniors Parker Mehlhorn and Justin Vasquez, and ninth graders William Fogliani and Blaine McGrogan. Their goal is to raise $30,000. 

Fundraising efforts include Penny Wars in each homeroom through March 20. Leaders will be tracked and shared on morning announcements, and the top homeroom will win a Cinemark movie ticket for each student. Second and third place classrooms will win donuts. The team is also working on outreach to local businesses for donations. 

Jaden feels compelled to raise both funds and awareness about blood cancer now and in the future. “People tell me I should go into medicine, but that’s just not my calling,” Jaden said. He feels his strength lies in advocacy for his mother. “I would definitely love to help find a cure for her cancer.”

Learn more about Team Breaking the Odds on their fundraising page and on Instagram.