Brauer had a routine appointment at MUSC today and we're happy and grateful to report that she is healthy and thriving. She is enjoying her senior year at Wando and is counting down the days to graduation. She has accepted a summer job as a camp counselor at her favorite place in the world – Asbury Hills – and she’ll leave in mid-May for staff training. Brauer has applied to and been accepted by several colleges, and she has some terrific options. She is still weighing those options and we’re going to do a couple more visits during Spring Break before she makes a final decision. We are so proud of her and how well she is doing.

Faithful followers may remember that last year Brauer was chosen to serve as the Honored Hero for our local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Students of the Year campaign. She served in a support role and encouraged candidates throughout the campaign. She also spoke at the Grand Finale Gala and thanked donors, teams, and candidates. (If you’re interested in watching her speech, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvgMel_mhj0)

At the Grand Finale, Brauer decided she would participate as a candidate during the 2020 LLS Students of the Year campaign. Brauer has set a goal of raising $100,000 for LLS during this 7-week period, and she is well on her way, thanks to an amazing team of friends, neighbors, and family members. For every $50,000 raised, she has an opportunity to link her team name (Team Brauer Power) to one of LLS’s research portfolios. LLS has a new Children’s Initiative to help develop more effective treatments especially for children, to help reduce the sad statistic that 80% of childhood cancer survivors develop a chronic health condition as a result of cancer treatment.    

She would love to have your help in reaching her goal! If you would like to support Team Brauer Power by making a tax-deductible, charitable contribution, please visit Brauer’s personalized online fundraising page at: https://events.lls.org/sc/scsoy20/bdowd If you would prefer to mail a check, please contact Brauer at brauerdowd@gmail.com or Kim at kimdowd26@gmail.com for address information. Donations of all amounts are welcome – and every single dollar makes a difference in supporting blood cancer patients.

There are just 10 days left in the competition, so please help us make a final push and make your contribution by March 12. The winner will be announced at the Grand Finale Gala on March 13, and we hope to share good news about Team Brauer Power’s efforts following the gala.

We remain grateful for each of you and the many ways you continue to support our family!