Join me in fighting to end pediatric cancer and blood disorders by supporting BuckeyeThon.

At Ohio State, we talk a lot about building community and creating impact. For me, nothing embodies that more than BuckeyeThon. From the moment I stepped onto campus, BuckeyeThon has been my home. We are Ohio State’s official student philanthropy, and we fundraise for the Hematology, Oncology, & Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). This year, I have the privilege of serving as our Executive Vice President.

During my time in BuckeyeThon, I had the privilege of getting to know Charley, a fellow Buckeye and nursing student who was my age and battling acute myeloid leukemia at NCH. From her hospital room, Charley followed BuckeyeThon closely and dreamed of joining our Family Relations Committee when she got better. She wanted to be the one who made Champion Kids feel seen and celebrated. At our annual Dance Marathon this past February, Charley shared her story in a letter that was read aloud to over 600 students by a physician from NCH. She ended with, “I’ll see you next fall,” and “I can do hard things.” Just nine days later, Charley passed away from complications following her transplant. Her courage and light touched our entire community, and her voice continues to guide me in everything that I do.

Through Charley’s story, BuckeyeThon was able to help register over 300 students for the National Marrow Donor Program, raise awareness about the urgent need for bone marrow donors, and inspire countless students to join our movement. Charley’s legacy lives on in every new student we add to the registry, every dollar we raise, and every Champion Kid who feels supported.

As a member of Homecoming Court, I am fundraising for BuckeyeThon in Charley’s honor, and for every child and family who deserves a future free of pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Together, we’re not just raising money, we’re building a future of hope, and that is a legacy worth creating.