Jaidyn Brody, a Wellington sixth grader, set a goal last year to fundraise more than $15,000 to help fund blood cancer research and provide help and hope to thousands of patients and their families through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
This past spring, after realizing that goal and earning the title of Student of the Year, she knew that her mission was still not complete.
To continue her work, Brody will host her second annual Putting Fore Patients miniature golf tournament at Adventure Mini Golf (6585 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth) on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. Last year, the event raised more than $4,000 to benefit LLS. Brody hopes to more than double that this year, setting a goal of $10,000. She reached out to local mayors Anne Gerwig, Pam Triolo and Sam Ferreri, challenging them to a mayoral showdown.
Brody’s grandfather continues to battle leukemia, and this fuels her efforts to fund research for a cure.
“September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” Brody said. “Every 3 minutes, a person in the U.S. is diagnosed and every 10 minutes, a life is lost to blood cancers. Blood cancer is the most common cancer in young people. I have learned at too young of an age how awful this disease is, and I created this event to not only bring awareness to this cause, but to help fund research that could one day be the cure my grandfather needs.”
Brody has developed quite a following at LLS.
“I am so proud of the hard work Jaidyn has put into this cause,” LLS Senior Campaign Manager Stacy Hewitt said. “She has been a tireless advocate. She has visited multiple congressmen, city councilmen, mayors and other dignitaries to shed light on the issues facing local families touched by cancer.”
The LLS Student Series programs are designed to teach children how to set and reach goals and the value of community involvement. Students spent three weeks during the school year on events they designed to raise funds to help bring about a world without blood cancers. By contributing their spare change and participating in other special fundraising events, they make a cure possible.
To make a tax deductible donation to Brody’s event, visit www.tinyurl.com/jaidynbrody. For more information about the LLS Student Series, call (561) 616-8682 or visit www.studentseries.org.
ABOVE: Jaidyn Brody (left) with Jason Guari and friends.
