Loveland, Ohio – Team CoUREage 4.0 is a Loveland High School fundraising team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Emma Steiner, Marcel Mangan, and Orhan Ozbudak were the leaders of a team of over 25 members with a goal throughout a 7-week campaign that ran from February 1st to March 25th to raise as much money and awareness as possible for blood cancer research. Their goal was to raise $100,000.
They raised $214,301 to help fund cancer research and to support cancer patients. This is a record for fundraising for an individual team in Ohio.
At the gala Saturday night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason it was announced that a total of $805,365 was raised by all teams.
Emma Steiner said, “My connection to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society began when a favorite middle school teacher of mine, and now mentor, lost her aunt due to Leukemia.” Steiner is a junior at Loveland High School.
Marcel Mangan, Emma Steiner, and Orhan Ozbudak
Steiner was asked to join Loveland’s Team CoUREage last year. She said, “While fundraising, I got to hear so many touching stories of people affected by blood cancer.” That was more than enough to make her want to accept the nomination to be a candidate for this year’s campaign. “Although I don’t have a direct connection to blood cancer, my grandpa passed away from cancer last year, and I fight so that other families don’t have to experience what my grandpa went through.”
LLS’s Student Visionaries of the Year campaign is a seven-week competition among high schools across the Cincinnati area. Loveland was one of 15 teams raising money for blood cancer research, advocacy, patient support, and ultimately, a cure. However, it is not just a competition among these 15 teams, rather it is a combined effort to help LLS find a cure.
The trio built this year’s campaign using the community as its foundation. Since last August, they have been building partnerships with local businesses securing sponsorships, auction items, and organizing events. So far, they have over 10 events planned to help them raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
They surpassed their goal with secured sponsorships with local businesses, community donations, events, and t-shirt sales. One of the biggest ways that the team fundraised is through donations received by each of their 30 team members.
Team CoUREage 4.0
The goal is to not only raise money for blood cancer but also to raise awareness in our Loveland community about Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Background Info about LLS:
LLS is uniquely able to report on the many advances and accomplishments that have occurred since their founding in 1949. From cutting-edge research and precision medicine innovations to legislative victories that improve access to therapies for cancer patients, LLS plays a leading- and often pioneering- role in the fight against blood cancers. Since 2000, approximately 40 percent of all U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved cancer drugs were for blood cancer, and some are now used to treat other forms of cancer and non-malignant diseases. A “win” for blood cancers, therefore, is a win for the cancer community overall.
Loveland, Ohio – Emma Steiner said, “My connection to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society began when a favorite middle school teacher of mine, and now mentor, lost her aunt due to Leukemia.” Steiner is a junior at Loveland High School.
Steiner and Loveland High School juniors, Marcel Mangan, and Orhan Ozbudak are the candidates for Team CoUREage 4.0, a fundraising team raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign. The 2023 campaign runs through March 25th. There are 30 team members.
Marcel Mangan, Emma Steiner, and Orhan Ozbudak
Steiner was asked to join Loveland’s Team CoUREage last year. She said, “While fundraising, I got to hear so many touching stories of people affected by blood cancer.” That was more than enough to make her want to accept the nomination to be a candidate for this year’s campaign. “Although I don’t have a direct connection to blood cancer, my grandpa passed away from cancer last year, and I fight so that other families don’t have to experience what my grandpa went through.”
LLS’s Student Visionaries of the Year campaign is a seven-week competition among high schools across the Cincinnati area. Loveland is one of 15 teams raising money for blood cancer research, advocacy, patient support, and ultimately, a cure. However, it is not just a competition among these 15 teams, rather it is a combined effort to help LLS find a cure.
The trio has built this year’s campaign using the community as their foundation. Since last August, they have been building partnerships with local businesses securing sponsorships, auction items, and organizing events. So far, they have over 10 events planned to help them raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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.
Members of Team CoUREage 4.0 are all Visionaries that are hard at work fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. LLS was built on the same vision – of a better world – one without blood cancers.
Their Loveland goal is to raise $100,000 over the next 7 weeks. They hope to reach it through secured sponsorships with local businesses, community donations, events, t-shirt sales, and the Grand Finale Celebration. One of the biggest ways that the team will fundraise is through donations received by each of their 30 team members.
Team CoUREage 4.0
Orhan Ozbudak said, “Throughout my life, I hope to be an avid philanthropist. Ever since my youth, I have participated in many philanthropic events and hope to continue these types of activities into the future. One of my dreams is to create businesses that illuminate warmth and help people.” He added that When Marcel and Emma invited him to join them he knew this was an opportunity to positively impact not only people affected by blood cancer but also the world. “Even though I was hesitant to be a candidate at first, I realized that I am very thankful to participate in the Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign as a candidate.”
The goal is to not only raise money for blood cancer but also to raise awareness in our Loveland community about Leukemia and Lymphoma. “Any donation helps, and brings us closer to our goal,” said Steiner.
Marcel Mangan said, “My connection to LLS began last year when the two past candidates, Grace Dressell and Claire Zeigler, had asked me to be a member of their campaign.” He explained that initially, he was hesitant due to not having a direct connection to leukemia or lymphoma, but after researching the stories of those who have had to deal with these blood cancers he felt it necessary to join. “The most touching story that I heard was about a girl named Emily Love who had been diagnosed with leukemia when she was only 1 years old. Luckily she recovered after 3 years and was able to live a normal life, but sadly those years of her childhood can never be given back to her. After hearing her story I joined the 2022 campaign, and I’ve been a part of it ever since. I just hope that my fundraising can help make a positive impact on those suffering from leukemia or lymphoma.”
Background Info about LLS:
LLS is uniquely able to report on the many advances and accomplishments that have occurred since their founding in 1949. From cutting-edge research and precision medicine innovations to legislative victories that improve access to therapies for cancer patients, LLS plays a leading- and often pioneering- role in the fight against blood cancers. Since 2000, approximately 40 percent of all U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved cancer drugs were for blood cancer, and some are now used to treat other forms of cancer and non-malignant diseases. A “win” for blood cancers, therefore, is a win for the cancer community overall.
More
Research done by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society especially helps those with blood cancer but it also makes improvements for all kinds of cancer!
There will be a raffle for a parking spot at Loveland High School during school lunches
Students can also purchase t-shirts during their lunch and buy tickets for raffle baskets
Katie Rose
Teacher-mentor, Katie Rose said, “My ‘why’ is my Aunt Tina Eubanks, who died of Acute Myeloid Leukemia only three weeks after being diagnosed at the age of 53.” Rose had been fundraising for LLS through Pennies for Patients with Loveland Middle School Student Council for many years and would always tell people, “You never know when cancer will touch your family”. Another of her aunts is currently battling both lung and liver cancer. Sadly, this cancer diagnosis is her third – lymphoma and rectal cancer being two she defeated. “People often ask why I work so hard to fundraise. The answer is simple. As long as there is breath in my lungs and blood in my veins, I will do whatever it takes to help those who are impacted by cancer.”
Rose who is a Social Studies Teacher at Loveland Middle School said, “Cancer needs to be eradicated and LLS is the organization making the greatest strides in funding research and advancing new drugs to help those in need. I live a life of service, and by teaching my current and former students the importance of giving back and how to raise money for a worthy cause allows me to fulfill my life’s purpose.”
Donate an auction basket or item or become a Grand Finale sponsor (contact Emma Steiner 513-630-5610)
Attend events and mention Team CoUREage 4.0 when ordering. Most events will have raffle baskets.
Orhan Ozbudak said, “I am very appreciative of all the progress we have made and can’t wait to see what our team will accomplish throughout this journey. Hopefully, our efforts will also serve to inspire people to carry on this positivity.”
“Thank you to all of the businesses that are sponsoring our campaign, and thank you to all of the people in Loveland who have shown continuous support for our fundraiser,” said Emma Steiner.
Marcel Mangan summed up the campaign by saying, “Although we hope to raise a large amount of money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, we also hope to spread the importance of LLS throughout Loveland, but also the greater Cincinnati area as a whole.”
2/1-2/21
Buffalo Wild Wings at 11363 Montgomery Rd. 10% giveback on dine-in or carry-out all day if you mention “Team L”
EVERY SUNDAY2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 2/19
Bishop’s Quarter at 212 W Loveland Ave. 10% Giveback
2/8
Raising Cane’s at 3901 Montgomery Rd., 2 pm-9 PM
2/13
Cartridge Brewing at 1411 Grandin Rd. 4 pm-10 pm
2/22
Ramsey’s Trailside at 200 W Loveland Ave.
2/23
MPH Brewing at 7880 Remington Rd. 4 pm-10 pm. 10% Giveback on food and drink
2/27
Dewey’s Pizza at 11338 Montgomery Rd. 4 pm-9 pm
3/4
Athlete Instincts Fitness Fundraiser at 774 Loveland-Miamiville Rd. 10:30 am. $10 to sign up, text Jen Steiner 513-289-6393 to sign up
3/10
Cappy’s Wine & Spirits at 309 W Loveland Ave. 5 pm-11 pm. LIVE MUSIC starts at 7:30 pm
3/12
Nisbet Park – Text Jen Steiner 513-289-6393 to sign-up
3/15
The Work’s Brick Pizza Oven at 20 Grear Millitzer Place. ALL DAY
Bella, Carly, and Morgan at one of their planning meetings earlier in the year.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Could our Loveland Tigers be any more impressive?! Loveland High School students, Carly Wilhoite (Junior), Bella Dillhoff (Junior), and Morgan Wheeler (Senior) announced this month that they will be competing in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) “Students Of The Year” campaign!
The “Students of the Year” campaign is a seven-week fundraising, leadership, and development program for high school students that focuses on developing young leaders in the community while they raise funds for LLS. This particular campaign began on February 17th and will end on April 9th.
During the seven-week program, Wilhoite, Dillhoff, and Wheeler will take on organizing events, as well as collecting items from restaurants and stores that will be auctioned off during “The Grand Finale” at the end of the campaign.
“We were not allowed to collect any money before the campaign starts, but we can get commitments,” Wilhoite said, “As of right now, we have been running around the whole city collecting commitments for donations, auction items, t-shirt sponsors, andFund The Nights.”
The team of Tigers recently finalized their t-shirt design and they are now available for pre-order below.
The candidates and some of their team members help raffle off a Valentine’s Day basket to teachers – with help from Mrs. Johnson, their principal (Second from Right in photo).
The campaign has nearly twenty student team members and a group of adult helpers, which includes Katie Rose, Jen Ramage, and Molly Reboltz from The LLS.
Carly Wilhoite shared that she and her two campaign teammates in some way during their lives have had to deal with cancer, which is why this is so important to all of them.
“Morgan’s grandmother passed away due to lung cancer in the spring of 2016, and my grandfather passed away due to esophageal cancer when I was young,” Wilhoite said, “Bella and I have a friend and lacrosse teammate who was diagnosed with Leukemia a few years back and she thankfully won her fight. Supporting The LLS is my way of showing my support and love for those that have fought and are currently fighting the vicious battle against blood cancer, but the most important reason for our efforts in this campaign is Katie Rose and her family,” Wilhoite added, “Mrs. Rose is a teacher at the middle school and has been a mentor and friend to us throughout this whole thing. She lost her aunt to Leukemia in the summer of 2019. We love and appreciate Mrs. Rose for everything she has done for us, and there is simply nothing we wouldn’t be willing to do for her.”
Mrs. Rose, who has volunteered for The LLS for many years helping both the Pennies for Patients/Hero Squad and the Student of the Year campaigns, said she definitely has a personal stake in this type of work because she lost her 53-year-old aunt to AML a couple of years ago.
“I am always awed by how engaged my students become when asked to serve the greater good,” Rose said, “The Student of the Year campaign is the equivalent of a Master’s level class in philanthropy whereby students learn valuable skills that translate into their educational and career paths while doing such meaningful and important work. I am so proud of this team and the teams on whose shoulders they stand. We hope the Loveland community will support them in their journey!”
Morgan Wheeler shared what her experience was like her sophomore year participating in her first campaign.
“I had such a great opportunity first hand to see what an impact that the LLS has had not only on the patients it supports but the candidates it develops into amazing leaders in their community,” Wheeler said, “I hope that by accepting the nomination as a Student of the Year candidate that I can honor those who have lost their battle to cancer, like my grandmother, and help those who are currently fighting.”
Wheeler said that the biggest part of the campaign is “The Grand Finale,” which is set to be held on April 9th.
“It is truly an exciting and memorable moment that I remember very well from participating on the team last year,” Wheeler explained, “Candidates are recognized for all of their hard work and there is a commemoration for those who are fighting their battle or have lost their battle to cancer. At the Grand Finale, there is also a silent auction that offers teams one last way to raise funds that will go towards their teams total.”
“Our team is in the works of collecting auction items so that we can put baskets together to be sold at the auction,” Wheeler said, “At the end of the night, the winning team is announced and the title, ‘Students of the Year,’ is handed to the candidates of that team.”
If you or your business would like to contact Team CUREage 2.0 to help with their campaign email the team at lovelandllsteamcureage@gmail.com.
TheLLS is uniquely able to report on the many advances and accomplishments that have occurred since their founding in 1949. From cutting-edge research and precision medicine innovations to legislative victories that improve access to therapies for cancer patients, LLS plays a leading- and often pioneering- role in the fight against blood cancers. Since 2000, approximately 40 percent of all U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved cancer drugs were for blood cancer, and some are now used to treat other forms of cancer and non-malignant diseases. A “win” for blood cancers, therefore, is a win for the cancer community overall.
The Loveland Middle School Student Council pulled off a successful “Pennies for Patients” fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through a range of activities in March, including raffles, a half-court shot competition, Hawaiian lei and snack sales, and the culminating “pie-a-teacher” event on the last day of the campaign.
These businesses that contributed to the successful campaign
The Works
Golden Corral
Buffalo Wild Wings
Coney Island
Shooters Sports Grill
Dunkin Donuts
Flipdaddy’s
Maggiano’s
Thunderdome Restaurant Group (Currito, The Eagle, Bakersfield, Krueger)
Loveland Sweets
Nada
Movie theaters: Kenwood, Esquire, Mariemont and Eastgate
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Loveland, Ohio – Throughout the month of March, the Loveland Middle School (LMS) Student Council ran its annual “Pennies for Patients” campaign to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“We are so proud to have met and even exceeded of our goal of raising $5,000 this year,” said Katie Rose, teacher who runs the LMS Student Council with her colleague Trisha Pitcher. “The students arranged a variety of fundraising activities during the campaign and wrote letters to businesses asking for contributions. The response by the business community in and around Loveland was overwhelming, and we received dozens of gift card donations and items for our raffles.”
On the last day of school before spring break, the students celebrated reaching their campaign goal with one of their favorite fundraising activities – “pie-a-teacher.”
“Tickets for the pie-a-teacher event are best sellers throughout the campaign,” said Rose. “It’s one of many activities during the month, but always seems to be especially fun for our students!”
