Our Crowdfunding Groups
Although my giving page is no longer active, you can still donate. If you would like to provide any additional support, please do so here.
Hello! My name is Ishan Patel, and I am a fourth-year student at Ohio State, majoring in Physics and minoring in English. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and have known what it means to be a Buckeye my entire life. On campus, I am a part of the Buckeye Leadership Fellows program and work within the Office of Student Life as a Development Assistant. I am also a part of a Physical Chemistry research lab on campus, where I serve as a student research assistant. However, my largest involvement on campus is my involvement with BuckeyeThon, a year-round movement that focuses on fundraising money to support patients battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). BuckeyeThon has deeply impacted my life, and more importantly, has provided me with the opportunity to impact others. It has defined my undergraduate student experience, and the experiences I’ve had will continue to impact me for the rest of my life. This cause has been close to my heart since high school, and it is the cause that I am fundraising for today.
As a student at Dublin Scioto High School, I was a part of DublinThon, one of many regional High School programs that fundraised in support of BuckeyeThon. It was incredible to see hundreds of high schoolers coming together for one cause, and from that moment, I knew that this was such a powerful movement that could bring together so many people for one goal. This was a movement I wanted to continue to be a part of, and it played a huge role in bringing me to Ohio State. At the involvement fair, I immediately went to the BuckeyeThon table to find out how to get involved. In my first year, I served as a high school mentor, advising students just like myself who were looking to make a difference For The Kids. As a new member, I also made many of my closest friendships, which I still have today and will cherish for many years to come. Having such a positive experience, I wanted to get even more involved and had the opportunity to serve as the Executive Vice President of BuckeyeThon in my second year, where I oversaw the day to day operations of the organization. Now, in my final year at Ohio State, I have the honor and privilege of serving as the President of BuckeyeThon.
Across my time in BuckeyeThon, the organization has fundraised almost $5 Million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and in its 20-year history, the organization has raised over $11 Million For The Kids. What amazes me most is that 100% of the total goes towards the hospital, and all these funds are raised by students simply asking their networks to donate to the cause. Every year, thousands of Ohio State students get involved with BuckeyeThon and the impact that they have on these kids is inspiring and extraordinary. These funds go towards supporting many initiatives at Nationwide Children’s, from funding innovative cancer research projects, to supporting genomic sequencing, to supporting the mental health of children undergoing treatment. The work that is done with BuckeyeThon’s funds is remarkable and goes towards treating children from all walks of life. From newborn babies all the way up to college students, Nationwide Children’s supports every single child battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders through the funds that BuckeyeThon raises.
From having a friend treated at NCH for cancer, to hearing the stories of over 20 BuckeyeThon patient champions, I have firsthand seen the impact that BuckeyeThon has on children who are fighting for their lives. COVID-19 has disrupted BuckeyeThon’s ability to bring people together in person, but now more than ever we must continue to fundraise in support of children fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders. The children we advocate for face a greater risk of more severe illness from COVID-19, and it is so important that we continue to fundraise and advocate for them. Pediatric cancer and blood disorders will continue to exist regardless of COVID-19, and it is essential that we continue to fight for a cure For The Kids. Every dollar counts and will have an impact on the lives of children who are fighting these terrible diseases. If you can, please consider giving to this incredible cause that has changed my life and continues to impact the lives of children everywhere.
