BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- With a goal to raise $100,000 in 2025, Brunswick High School’s “Brunswick for a Brighter Future” has raised $168,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
That’s the highest amount raised by any student team across Northeast Ohio in this year’s Student Visionaries campaign.
The achievement builds upon the success of previous Brunswick teams, who raised $161,000 over the past two years.
According to a press release following the announcement, this year’s campaign was particularly meaningful to the group because of the personal connection to classmate Mick McGinnis, who served as the featured hero for the campaign.
Mick, who successfully completed treatment for B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia in August, shared his personal journey at the March 8 Cleveland Student Visionaries of the Year Closing Banquet.
“What these students have accomplished is extraordinary,” Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer said in the press release.
“Watching them pour their hearts into this cause, organize events, build community partnerships and support their classmate Mick -- it’s been incredibly inspiring.
“These aren’t just fundraising skills they’re developing; they’re learning what it means to lead with purpose and compassion,” he said.
“Seeing their dedication and how they’ve united our community behind this cause gives me tremendous hope for the future.
“This is what Brunswick is all about -- young people who don’t just talk about making a difference, but roll up their sleeves and do the hard work to create real change.”
Team members include Mirian Azap, Ian Boone, Dylan Buzzelli, Reese Damron, Shannon Deighton, Zoey Fuller, Brooke Gelhar, Sophia Jindra, Abigail Karim, Emma Karim, Kaitllyn Karim, KayLee Krise, Brianna Kulas, Ellie Kunesh, Ashlie Lieb, Reese Meehan, Svetlana Milanovic, Emily Molnar, Natalia Parente, Krisha Patel, Collin Perlatti, Eleni (Elli) Rahas, Leilah Salman, Braedon Sopko, Mia Staab, Luke Stella, Callie Toney, Luke Weinhauer, Emily Woolard and Paige Ziebert.
The campaign featured several creative fundraising events, including a sold-out Magic Gives Back show featuring illusionist Rick Smith Jr. and a popular Chuck-a-Duck event at a basketball game.
The students' efforts will help fund critical blood cancer research while supporting essential patient services, including mental health programs, financial assistance and transportation services for patients and caregivers.
According to the release, approximately 500 new leukemia cases are diagnosed annually.
Read more news from the Brunswick Sun.