Central Bucks Students Earn Coveted Title Of ‘Visionaries Of The Year’

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Two Central Bucks students have been named “Student Visionaries of the Year” after raising thousands of dollars over the past seven weeks for the Philadelphia Chapter of Blood Cancer United.

Twenty-one teams from the Delaware Valley competed for the coveted title given to the team that raises the most money for the cause.

During a ceremony at the Franklin Institute on March 14, Marisa Nero, a junior at CB East, and Tyler Lockett, a junior at CB South, were singled out as the top fundraising team in the Delaware Valley, raising $72,000.

“They knew they were doing well with fundraising, but they figured some of the other teams had raised significantly more,” said Marisa’s dad, Gabriel. “So they were quite shocked when their names were announced.”

Marisa, a survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Tyler, who is continuing his fight against the disease through ongoing treatments, raised 14 percent of the $536,000 raised across the board by the Student Visionary campaign.

During their acceptance speeches, the two spoke about the challenges of battling blood cancer and shared with the more than 200 people in attendance their plans to enter the healthcare field, where they can continue to make a difference for patients with blood cancers.

Marisa Nero and Tyler Lockett, 2026 Student Visionaries of the Year for Blood Cancer United.

They also acknowledged the many people, groups, organizations, and businesses that contributed to their campaign.

“It was an emotional evening,” relates Marisa's dad, Gabriel. “There was one father who had lost his son years ago who spoke to the gathering, saying, ‘There are so many other things you could have been doing these last few months, but you chose to help others.’

“These kids gave up their own time to help other people, to think beyond themselves because they care about other people, and they went through things that they hope that no one else ever has to go through," said Gabriel.

More than 40 high school students from throughout the Delaware Valley embarked on a seven-week leadership development program earlier this year, to create a world without blood cancers while striving to earn the Student Visionary of the Year title.

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

“All of these kids took time out of their schedules to raise money because they were looking beyond themselves,” Gabriel said. “Everyone’s a winner who was there. Everyone came together for the greater good of helping others.”

The two CB students, who met through school, 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.

“We are just amazingly proud of Marisa and Tyler for volunteering to do this,” said Gabriel. “And then, among all of these people, to be recognized for all of their hard work and raising all this money in just seven weeks, is pretty amazing.”

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 was important to both of them. They wanted to give back and help others who are going through what they faced,” said Gabriel, adding that he's inspired by what the two teenagers accomplish.

“I would call it selfless,” said Gabriel. “These kids, who are also survivors, are helping others when they didn’t have to do that.”

He added, “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 did this because they don’t want anyone to have this disease, and if people do get it, 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.”

Marisa will also be volunteering with Blood Cancer United’s Junior Leadership Committee to help others in the Philadelphia area raise money for the organization.