Central Bucks Juniors Vying For Blood Cancer United's Visionaries Of The Year Title

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Two Central Bucks students are reaching across the district to raise upwards of $80,000 to find a cure for blood cancer.

Marisa Nero, a junior at Central Bucks East, and Tyler Lockett, a junior at Central Bucks South, have teamed up to fight the disease through Blood Cancer United’s Student Visionaries of the Year campaign.

Every year, courageous young high school students from throughout the Delaware Valley embark on a seven-week leadership development journey with the goal of creating a world without blood cancers, while striving to earn the Student Visionary of the Year title.

The Student Visionaries of the Year campaign also teaches participants “to think big and beyond themselves,” while teaching valuable skills such as organization, presentation, marketing, financial planning, public speaking, time management, leadership and more.

Marisa, a survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Tyler, who is continuing his fight against the disease through ongoing treatments, are reaching out to the community for help in reaching their goal of raising $80,000.

The two, who met through the school district, discovered they had something in common - ALL Leukemia. Marisa had previously undergone treatment for the disease, while Tyler continues to be treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, including spinal taps, chemotherapy, and infusions.

“For us, fundraising for this cause is important on multiple levels,” said Marisa’s dad, Gabriel.

“This campaign and this cause are deeply personal to my family as we have been very much impacted by blood cancer, previously Marisa's diagnosis in 2016 and now my wife, Noelle's diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in November.”

Through personal fundraising, friends and family, and Dine and Donate events, they have raised more than $50,000 and hope to nearly double that by the time they make the big reveal during an event at the Franklin Institute on March 14.

To donate to Marisa and Tyler's United For A Cure page and to read more about their fundraising efforts, click here.

To donate to Gabriel's fundraising page, click here.

Twenty teams from Pennsylvania and New Jersey are competing for the coveted title of “Visionaries of the Year,” a title awarded to the team that raises the most money for the cause.

Money raised by the students will be used by Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for research, patient advocacy, and support.

“This campaign is important to both of them. They want to give back and help others who are going through what they faced,” said Marisa’s dad, Gabriel, who has been inspired by what they have been able to accomplish.

“I would call it selfless,” said Gabriel of their campaign. “They have given up countless hours to fundraise, make videos, approach community members, create emails, attend meetings - all in an effort to help others. They take it very seriously, and it means a lot to them. They’re doing this because they had/have a disease and they don’t want anyone to have this disease, and if people do, they want them to have the best treatment possible and the best options.”

The experience has inspired Marisa to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse, said Gabriel. “She wants to make a difference in other people’s lives because people made a difference in her life.”

Tyler has also been inspired by his experiences, looking to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. “He wants to help people like himself who have physical issues based on their conditions so he can help patients as well,” said Gabriel.