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At KIPP Austin Collegiate, two standout seniors, Vildy Hernandez and Keyla Hernandez, are proving that leadership isn’t just about what you do in the classroom, but how you show up for your community . While they share a last name, Vildy and Keyla are not related, but they are completely united in their drive to make a difference.
Vildy and Keyla have officially stepped into the spotlight as candidates for the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, a prestigious philanthropic leadership program from Blood Cancer United that empowers high schoolers to spearhead life-saving change.
The Power of Being “United”
This isn’t just any fundraising drive. The organization formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has evolved into Blood Cancer United. This name reflects a powerful global mission: to serve people living with over 100 types of blood cancer.
As highlighted in a recent Forbes feature, when teens take on the mantle of fundraising, they don’t just change the lives of patients;they change their own. Through this 7-week journey, students like Vildy and Keyla are gaining real-world skills in marketing, project management, and public speaking. But more importantly, they are learning that their voices have the power to fund breakthroughs in immunotherapy and genomic research.
Meet the Visionaries
Vildy and Keyla are part of a generation determined to be the last one to see cancer. They aren’t just raising money; they are raising hope. By participating in this campaign, they are supporting Blood Cancer United’s three core pillars:
- Research: Funding the next generation of cures.
- Patient Support: Providing free education and financial assistance to families in the heat of the battle.
- Advocacy: Driving policy changes that make treatment more affordable and accessible.
How You Can Help
The KIPP Austin community is known for its grit and heart. Now is the time to support our seniors and help them achieve their ambitious goals. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a world without blood cancer.
You can support their individual campaigns and track their progress through the links below:
- Support Vildy Hernandez’s Campaign: Donate Here
- Support Keyla Hernandez’s Campaign: Donate Here
Let’s show Vildy and Keyla that KIPP Texas stands with them. When we support our youth in these efforts, we aren’t just helping them win a title,we are joining a movement that is United for More Life.
To learn more about the mission and how teen leaders are changing the world, read the full story on Forbes.
