SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Rising senior Abby Fitzgerald was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Greater Sacramento Area Chapter 2015 Student of the Year this summer. She received the award at the Grand Finale Gala at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento on June 20 along with fundraising partner Maverick Kuhn of Jesuit High School.

“It was so awesome (to be recognized),” said Fitzgerald, who is from Sacramento. “We put a lot of hard work and time into it and it paid off.”

More than 210 guests attended the event to honor the six students and celebrate the over $131,000 raised to support LLS. In addition to winning Students of the Year, Fitzgerald and Kuhn received a Top Fundraiser Recognition Award. 

“It was truly a pleasure to work with Abby during her campaign,” said Jenaye Shepherd, the Area Director for the Greater Sacramento Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Her leadership and commitment was instrumental in creating a successful fundraising and awareness campaign for which Abby and her fundraising partner, Maverick, were honored as our 2015 Students of the Year.”

Other finalists for the award included St. Francis rising seniors Sophie Huang and Mia Bonini.

“Family is also a big part of my life because they support me through all of the obstacles in life,” said Fitzgerald on her fundraising page. “I have previously been involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when my father, James Fitzgerald won Man of the Year back in 2010.”

Fitzgerald lost a cousin, Joe Fitzgerald, who struggled with the disease for several years and passed away in 2007.

“I feel that it is my duty to participate in such a meaningful cause, which will not only help save lives, but will allow for those suffering and their loved ones to gain hope,” said Fitzgerald in her pitch.

The duo’s team was named was Team Fundrangers and raised over $65,000. She said the fundraising was difficult but they were persistent with their efforts and it showed with their final totals.

“Since I was directly affected by cancer and I was inspired by my dad when he participated, my good friend Maverick and I wanted to raise as much money as we could for the organization,” said Fitzgerald after a recent conditioning workout. “It is going straight to research for two kids that needed help. It is very inspirational to help a kid in need and do my best to help them feel good about themselves during a tough time in their life.”

The Student of the Year campaigns are annual 10-week fundraising competitions between students and influential community members united by one goal, to use their strong ties in their communities to raise funds to help blood cancer patients live longer and more fulfilling lives.

“Her involvement with LLS will have a very positive impact in the lives of local blood cancer patients and their families, as the funds she helped raise will be dedicated to cutting edge research for new treatments and a cure for blood cancers,” said Shepherd. “Abby’s hard work and dedication is a great reflection of the power of young women today.”

Fitzgerald returned to campus this week for conditioning work in preparation for the 2015 season. She was a member of the varsity team last season and returns as one of the senior leaders this year.

“I want to get close with my team and take it as far as we can,” said Fitzgerald. “I want to take the effort I put into the Leukemia & Lymphoma organization and put it into volleyball now, have fun and go out with a bang to finish as strong as I can.”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer.  The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services for patients and their loved ones.