Looking For Interns

Karsyn Scherer is a senior journalism student at the University of North Texas. She grew up in McKinney, Texas. Karsyn lost her dad to Leukemia when she was 11 years old. Since then, she has enjoyed dancing, writing and yoga. After graduation, she hopes to continue to help create a world without blood cancers.  Karsyn just finished a summer internship with the North Texas Chapter.

What made you decide to intern at LLS?
I chose to intern at LLS because my dad lost his life to Leukemia seven days after my 11th birthday. The trauma really got to me, so I want to do my part to help avoid that situation for others.

Which campaign were you involved with this summer?
I worked on multiple campaigns but the two I did the most work with were Links Fore Leukemia and Man and Woman of the Year.

What would you consider the most valuable part of your internship?
I value the real world experience that I received while interning for LLS, but the fact that my time helped others is what I value most.

What skills will you take with you from this internship to utilize in your future endeavors?
I learned how to organize events, help others fundraise, how to ask and receive donations and how to work in a professional environment.

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We are currently seeking fall interns for both the Dallas and Fort Worth offices.  Contact Alexis Meyer at Alexis.Meyer@lls.org to learn more about the available opportunities.  Find the job description and application info here. 

Meet Haley Smoot

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to introduce you to Haley Smoot.  She recently joined the North Texas LLS family and is the new Campaign Manager for our Student Series program. She is busy prepping for the upcoming school year.  Haley answered a couple questions so you can get to know her better.

1. Tell us about your nonprofit background.

I first became involved in nonprofit work when I was 16. I volunteered to help my aunt after she founded the Sarah Friend Heart Foundation in memory of my 12 year old cousin who died suddenly from an undetected heart condition. The purpose of the organization was to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in kids and the need for defibrillators in schools and public places. Ultimately, the Foundation played a major role in the passage of legislation in Texas requiring schools to have defibrillators on site.

From there, I continued on a career path in public health, focusing primarily on policy and advocacy and working for the U.S. Senate, the American Heart Association, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Despite my diverse background, there are two common themes throughout my work: to help people and to promote a culture of health.

2. What attracted you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?
I actually lost my father to colon cancer two months before I came to LLS. We watched my dad fight a harrowing two-year battle, and his death left my family reeling. We lived through two years of visits to the E.R., hospital stays, and chemotherapy treatments that pushed my dad to the brink of death, only to lose him after all of that. My dad had also lost his father to colon cancer when he was only eight years old, and other members of our family have fought the same disease. When my dad’s father was diagnosed with colon cancer, there was little that could be done. Because of the advancement of technology and treatments, my dad lived to 72. But there’s still so much work that needs to be done.

One thing I learned first-hand is that patients and their families need all the information, resources, and support they can get when fighting cancer. I’m proud to work for an organization that not only provides helpful resources but also funds research to find cures. Because of organizations like LLS, patients and their families have better access to information and support that are critical resources in the fight against cancer.

3. What do you think is so interesting about working with teams and individuals in a fundraising capacity?

I love working with people and learning what they’re passionate about. Every person and every team that commits to a fundraising campaign has something that motivates them. The passion that they show is inspiring and impactful, and their stories of how cancer has personally affected them serves as a daily reminder of why we do the work we do.

4. What are you most looking forward to with the Student Series program this next school year?
Working with kids. Most of the roles I've held throughout my career have focused on children in some capacity. I think the drive, compassion, and overall impact young people can have is truly amazing. Research has shown that this new generation, Gen Z, is motivated by the desire to make the world a better place. Gen Z is going to change the world.

You can reach Haley at 972.996.5933 or Haley.Smoot@lls.org

Emily's Story

"Whether it was addressing thank you letters or helping to fill out grant applications, it always felt like I was making some sort of difference."  Emily, a junior at the University of Notre Dame, talks about her summer internship program with the North Texas Chapter.

We are currently seeking fall interns for both the Dallas and Fort Worth offices. Contact Alexis Meyer at Alexis.Meyer@lls.org to learn more about the available opportunities.

Read on for a little interview with Emily. 

I'm originally from Allen, TX and graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 2015. I'm currently a junior finance and economics major with an Italian minor at the University of Notre Dame. At school, I am involved with student government, serve as my dorm's service commissioner, and intern at the Ronald McDonald Family Center of South Bend. I have loved getting the chance to be a part of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light The Night and Team In Training programs this summer and hope to be able to participate in a Team In Training running event sometime soon!

What made you decide to intern at LLS?

I first learned about LLS from my cousin Peggy Stephens who works with Light The Night in Houston. Her work for that campaign and with LLS in general completely blew me away so when I learned about this opportunity in Dallas, I could not wait to be a part of the work that LLS does and to learn more about the programs that we offer.

Which campaign were you involved with this summer?

I worked with the Light The Night and Team In Training campaigns which gave me the unique opportunity to learn about two different types programs. As a part of Light The Night, I had the chance to communicate with teams about fundraising goal setting and learn about the preparation involved for the Corporate Recruitment Event. As a part of Team In Training, I communicated regularly with coaches and volunteers, recruited volunteers for fundraising events, and had the chance to meet several TNT participants from when I attended our annual Too Hot To Handle event.

What would you consider the most valuable part of your internship?

While I learned a lot throughout this internship, the most valuable thing for me was that every time I came into the office, I was reminded that I was doing something to help someone who had been affected by blood cancer. Whether it was addressing thank you letters or helping to fill out grant applications, it always felt like I was making some sort of difference.

What skills will you take with you from this internship to utilize in your future endeavors?

Throughout this internship, I have had the chance to further develop my communication skills and to learn more about long-term event planning. With Light The Night, I was able to speak directly with team captains over the phone and help them with goal setting. I also sat in on a meeting about long-term planning for the LTN event and the kickoff events leading up to it. With Team In Training, I sent weekly updates to coaches and volunteers and had the opportunity to take the lead on recruiting volunteers for our Too Hot To Handle event. I loved being a part of these programs this summer and look forward to applying the skills as I continue in school next year.

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We are currently seeking fall interns for both the Dallas and Fort Worth offices. Contact Alexis Meyer at Alexis.Meyer@lls.org to learn more about the available opportunities.  Find the job description and application info here. 

New Volunteer Coordinator Alexis Meyer

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to introduce you to Alexis Meyer. She recently joined the North Texas LLS family and is the new Volunteer Coordinator.  Alexis is a recent graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos.  She is already hard at work lining up volunteers for the upcoming 2017 chapter events. Reach out and say hi when you see her at an upcoming event.  In the meantime, she answered a couple questions so you can get to know her better.

1. Tell us about your nonprofit background.

In college, I helped host events benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, which developed my passion for service and eventually paved my path to my current position at The Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

2. What attracted you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

It became very evident to me the men and women who work for LLS are passionate and diligent about their career and the LLS mission. I could immediately see their dedication and ingenuity shine through their events and campaigns as they help try to find a cure for blood cancer.

3. What do you think is so interesting about working with teams and individuals in a volunteer capacity?

The enthusiasm these volunteers show is humbling. So many of our volunteers have been affected by blood cancer in some way, but continue to fill our events with their motivating and positive spirit. The best part about volunteering for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is how easy and rewarding the experience is. Individuals or teams can volunteer for as few or as many events as desired, and I can ensure that our volunteers are placed in the roles that fit best for them.

4. What are you most looking forward to with your new position this next year? 

I am so excited to build relationships with our many volunteers and participants at future LLS events. I will also be involved with our Student Series program, so I am looking forward to helping educate and encourage students of North Texas.

5. What do you want people to know about you?

I want people to know that they can contact me for anything! Whether is it your family, friends, company, school or organization that is looking to donate time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I will make sure the experience is exciting and rewarding, and that your time is recognized.

My contact information is below:

Email: alexis.meyer@lls.org

Direct: (972) 996- 5914  

Meet Heather Evans - New LLS Staff

Heather Evans has been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2008 when she began as a volunteer for the Georgia chapter. She lost her grandfather to Multiple Myeloma so she says that she will fight until there is a cure. Heather will be managing the Team In Training program in North Texas.  Below she answered a couple questions about herself.

1. Tell us about your nonprofit background.

I have been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2008. I began as a volunteer and intern with Georgia Chapter of Light The Night. I worked on the Atlanta event in 2008 and after my internship finished, I transitioned into a coordinator position with Student Series. I worked with schools across Georgia to implement planning meetings and school assemblies. During the 2008- 2009 school year, Georgia schools raised nearly $509,000 to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In January 2010, I transitioned back to Light The Night as a Campaign Manager. I worked with 15 corporate teams in Metro Atlanta and also oversaw the event in Albany, GA. In addition to working on Student Series and Light The Night, I also started training for my first Team In Training event as a teammate in 2009 and served as Team In Training Mentor in 2010.

2. What attracted you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

The mission. I lost my grandfather to Multiple Myeloma . At the end of his battle he was in ICU; I was too young at the time to go up to the ICU floor. My grandfather passed away the day he was supposed to come home; I never got to say goodbye in person. I remember getting home from school that day, excited to go to visit him. My mom should have been waiting for me, but it was my dad’s car parked in the driveway; dad was always home for dinner, but not usually earlier during the work week. I knew as soon as I saw my dad’s car that my grandfather hadn’t made it home that day. I miss him every day and I am committed to finding a cure, so no one else has to lose their grandfather or grandmother, mother or father, son or daughter, brother or sister, or friend or any other member of their family. I will fight until there is a cure.

3. What do you think is so interesting about working with teams and individuals in a fundraising capacity?

The best part about helping others reach their fundraising goals is when they make it! People come to Team In Training for a variety of reasons; some of a connection to the mission, others have a fitness goal, but no matter what originally brought them to TNT, nothing beats the feeling of knowing you have reached your fundraising goal, and those dollars that you have raised will go towards making tremendous strides in the fight against blood cancers!

4. What are you most looking forward to with the Team In Training Campaign this year?

Having participated in TNT myself, I always look most forward to watching the teammates cross the finish line in their purple jersey. I hope that all teammates wear their purple with pride. Completing an endurance event isn’t easy, but these amazing teammates complete their events while also raising thousands of dollars for blood cancer. Whether it’s someone’s first or fiftieth TNT event, there is so much to celebrate as they cross the finish line; because of them we are one step closer to a cure.


5. What do you want people to know about you?

I live by the saying that “Life is a journey…not a destination.” It’s been written across my feet since I was eighteen years old; after all, our feet are the means by which we take our journey.  I have a passion for travel and have visited over twenty-five countries.  I am committed to making my own journey on this planet and everyone’s as meaningful as possible.

You can find Heather in and out of our Dallas office.  She can be reached via email at heather.evans@lls.org or phone at 972.996.5939. Welcome to LLS!  We are so excited to have you on board.

Meet Kristen Rheinlander

Kristen Rheinlander is the newest face that you will see when you come into our Fort Worth Office.  She is managing our Light The Night event in Fort Worth. Kristen has been personally affected by Leukemia and comes to LLS with a strong background in non profits. Below she answered a couple questions about herself:

1. Tell us about your nonprofit background.
I have been involved in numerous nonprofit organizations volunteering for The USO, Defenders of Freedom, Canine Companions for Independence and the Ronald McDonald House of both Fort Worth and Dallas. Volunteering, and now ultimately having my career in nonprofits, brings so much gratification and joy to my daily life. I am so fortunate to be able to help others on a daily basis and really makes every day at the office feel rewarding.


2. What attracted you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

Leukemia has personally effected my family, and when the opportunity arose to work for an organization that is so strong within the Fort Worth Community, I knew my heart was with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society North Texas Chapter.


3. What do you think is so interesting about working with teams and individuals in a fundraising capacity?
I love that everyone VOLUNTEERS their time and money to such a worthy cause. As volunteers they have their own personal and unique reason to support our mission, yet the overwhelming goal to bring light to the darkness of cancer. While they could choose to look at cancer as such a dark and lonely space, they instead come together and inspire each other and become a light in each other’s lives.


4. What are you most looking forward to at the Light The Night Walk in Fort Worth?

I am excited to see the Fort Worth community come together and spread hope and joy to one another. While many of them will come as stranger, they all come together for one common mission, and I look forward to seeing friendships formed and fun being had throughout the night.


5. What do you want people to know about you?

I come from both a personal and professional background in sports, where I felt something was missing, so I turned my career to nonprofits. I have always had a heart for helping others and I look forward to making my passion my purpose in the fundraising sector of the nonprofit world. I am thrilled to work for such a worthy cause and can already tell The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will make my life and heart even that much greater.

You can find Kristen in and out of our Fort Worth office.  She can be reached via email at kristen.rheinlander@lls.org or phone at 817-288-2634.  Welcome to LLS!  We are so excited to have you on board.

Introducing Marla Wilson

The North Texas Chapter is proud to introduce you to Marla Wilson, the newest member of the chapter's leadership team.  Marla is the Senior Director responsible for the Light The Night Walk and the Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show.  She comes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) with extensive nonprofit experience.  Below she answered a couple questions about herself:

Tell us about your previous nonprofit experience. 
I come to LLS from Honey Shine, Inc. where I served as the National Executive Vice President.  Honey Shine, Inc. is a mentoring and educational program for school-age girls, based in Miami, FL.  Before Honey Shine, I served as a Senior Director with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign, and the Executive Director for the March of Dimes.   I am also the founder of the 1 Percent Circle, an exclusive consulting group that matches high profile clients with mission-related initiatives.

I attribute my passion for service to my parents who taught me the importance of being a positive contributing citizen.

What drew you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society? 
The LLS mission and research success driven by this organization are very important to me.  I also have a couple personal connections to blood cancers.  I have a family member currently battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and another family member in treatment for lymphoma.

What have you learned about LLS supporters in North Texas during your brief time with LLS?
I have been very pleased to discover that North Texas supporters are very passionate and highly educated on the importance of philanthropy and volunteer leadership.

What are you most looking forward to with the Light The Night Walk? 
I am coming into Light The Night at a very exciting time.  The Dallas and Fort Worth Walks are both adding some really impactful new features to the Walk experience and both are on the brink of explosive growth.  I am happy to be here for both.

What are you most looking forward to with the Saint Valentine’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show? 
I am looking forward to expanding the exciting possibilities that will bridge generational philanthropy from traditional donors to young professionals.

Marla is the proud mother of twins, Malik and Mijani, both of whom are currently in college in Texas.

If you would like to personally welcome Marla to North Texas, she can be reached via email at marla.wilson@lls.org or phone at (972) 996-5919.

Welcome to North Texas, Marla!

Meet Jessica Buckman

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to introduce its newest addition to the Special Events department.  Meet Jessica Buckman.  She is joining LLS as a campaign specialist and will be working out of the Dallas office.  Jessica will be working on the Big D Climb event as well as the Man Woman of the Year Campaign. Read below as this dynamic woman introduces herself.

"I am so excited to be a new member of the LLS North Texas family! It has always been my dream to work for a cancer research non- profit in their special events department and I can’t believe my dream has finally come true!

As a native of Dallas, I first fell in love with serving others during a semester long service project for a local elementary school my senior year at Bishop Lynch High School.  I continued this experience by dedicating my college spring breaks to week long service trips. These trips allowed me to impact lives in Louisiana, by helping with Hurricane Katrina relief, and in Mississippi, where I volunteered at an early Head Start Program.

I graduated from Texas A&M University back in 2014 where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After I graduated, I moved to Austin, TX where I worked for a non-profit named Phoenix Arising, that taught after school and summer STEM classes to underprivileged youth in Travis County.

Two years later I am back in Dallas and I am so excited to see what lies ahead with LLS!”

We are happy to have Jessica as part of the North Texas LLS family.  Reach out and introduce yourself.  She can be contacted at Jessica.Buckman@lls.org or (972) 996-5929.  

Meet Meg Wilder

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to introduce its newest addition to the Student Series team.  Meg Wilder has joined the team as a Campaign Specialist and will be instrumental in helping to continue to grow the North Texas campaign to raise more than $1 million just in North Texas.  Read below as she introduces herself.

"I recently graduated from Baylor University with a degree in English. Although my love for reading and writing will never cease, I discovered my passion for fundraising my sophomore year at Baylor. After running my savings account dry, I desperately needed a job. I applied to several campus jobs to no avail, but quickly received an offer from the Baylor University Call Center. Cold calling people was intimidating and daunting, but I excelled. I’ve had countless people hang up on me, but I loved working for my university. During my time as a Student Fundraising Ambassador, I raised over $100,000 for Baylor University. 

I also joined Kappa Chi Alpha, a local Christian sorority at Baylor. This organization helped me bond with like-minded women. I loved playing intramural volleyball with my sorority sisters. I also enjoyed serving the community through our philanthropy, Mission Waco. Service has always played a very important role in my life and I’m overjoyed that I have the opportunity to serve others in my career. 

I’m very close with my family; most of my father’s side of the family lives in Dallas. The Wilder family gets together every Christmas for “Wilder Weekend.” My family has been doing this for twenty-four years; my grandfather started this tradition the winter before passing away from pancreatic cancer. I was never able to meet my grandfather, but I am eternally grateful for the traditions and family values he instilled in me. I look forward to Wilder Weekend every years, despite having to sleep on the floor some years. 

Fun Facts About Me:

-My cat has more followers than I do on Instagram

-I have an unhealthy obsession with queso

-My favorite novel is Jane Eyre

-I love true crime television

I decided to pursue a career in fundraising because of my passion for helping others. I love Student Series because it teaches students the importance of giving back. I’m extremely excited to join the Student Series team at LLS!"

We are happy to have Meg as part of the North Texas family.  Reach out and introduce yourself.  She can be contacted at Meg.Wilder@lls.org or (972) 996-5920.

Heather Laraba Joins Light The Night

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to introduce its newest addition to the Light The Night department.  Meet Heather Laraba.  She is joining LTN as a campaign specialist and will be working out of the Dallas office.  Read below as this dynamic woman introduces herself.

"I grew up in Richardson, TX. I have danced competitively since I was 11 years old. My immediate family still resides within the Dallas metroplex. 

My life growing up revolved around dance classes and dance competitions. When I started high school I was a part of the drill team and by my senior year I was lucky enough to be named Captain of the team. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer as I was starting my senior year of high school.  In order to honor her and our relationship my senior year solo was in her honor.

I went to the great state of Oklahoma where I attended the University of Oklahoma in good ol' Norman. I fell in love with the campus and with the people I met during my four years there. I was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority where I then participated in committees for events & fundraisers on campus such as: Relay for Life, Soonerathon, the Women's Outreach Center, and last but not least Young Life College.

Young Life is a 'youth ministry' (in loose terms) that changed my life starting in high school up into college. I went through training my sophomore year of college and was placed on the brand new ministry team known as Young Life College. I spent the rest of my college experience going where college girls go and being a part of their lives at OU. I took donuts, cookie cakes, and Starbucks to the dorms and had incredible relationships with a group of girls I mentored each of those three years. I was lucky enough to be given the head leader position and eventually worked part time as Norman's Young Life College staff associate my senior year. I continued to dance with the student led Sooner Dance Company and served as their Service Chair and then Vice President my final year.

I've been given incredible opportunities in such a short, sweet amount of time and have built and maintained incredible relationships. I'm now IMMENSELY proud and happy to say that I have joined a new family with all new traditions within LLS. Thank you for welcoming me in and I can't wait to start changing lives with you all.

The weird stuff:

1) I am allergic to apples.

2) I am obsessed with the Justins (Bieber & Timberlake)

3) I LOVE podcasts about social and criminal justice

4) I love to read and watch documentaries on Netflix

5) I finished all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls within the span of 3 weeks

6.) I plan to train and run in my FIRST Team in Training event in June at the Wounded Warrior half marathon"

We are happy to have Heather as part of the North Texas Light The Night family.  Reach out and introduce yourself.  She can be contacted at Heather.Laraba@lls.org or (972) 996-5934.  

North Texas Staff Dallas Marathon Relay Team: Mission

L to R: Stacey Russell (Deputy Executive Director) Patricia Thomson
(Executive Director), Kacy Lowe (Director of Development, Michael Iyescas 
(School & Youth Manager), Tiffany Valeri (Light The Night Manager)

For the first time in the history of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), five staff members are teaming up to participate in the Dallas Marathon - Relay for Team In Training (TNT).  They are already fundraising and training for their leg of the race but are facing their own individual challenges.  Today Michael Iyescas, a School & Youth Manager, talks about his motivation: the mission.

"Several months ago, before I started with LLS, I found myself asking a simple question, 'What am I passionate about and how can I apply that to my career?'  I have always been passionate about my family, friends, and helping those in need. This sparked memories of my grandfather, who battled leukemia for several years until his passing.

Today, as a Campaign Manager with LLS, I leverage these memories of my grandfather and desire to be instrumental in the fight to find cures to take the next step.  The mission is why I joined a leg of the staff Team In Training team, at the upcoming Metro PCS Dallas Marathon.

Not everybody has a personal connection to the LLS mission and blood cancer patients like I do with my grandfather.  Instead, I appeal to the incredible facts about how far LLS funding has taken the race to find cures for blood cancers.  

- For more than 60 years, LLS has invested more than $1 billion to advance cancer therapies and save lives. 

- LLS funding was instrumental in developing the port for the distribution of chemotherapy and the use of multi-drug chemotherapy.  Both of which are currently used in the treatment of all cancers.
- Early detection is not an option for blood cancer patients, finding a cure is the only option.

I am moved by these facts and look forward to the day when I can say that I played a pivotal role in helping to fund the next big breakthrough in the cancer landscape.  Join me, my team, and LLS and help be a part of history."

You can join Michael and the rest of the North Texas staff team by registering to participate with Team In Training this spring.  Register today at www.teamintraining.org/ntx