Freebie Friday: Meet Sharis Hauder

I come from a long line of educators and have my Elementary Education Certification. I always planned on being a teacher until I developed a passion for the law while in college. I went to law school and practiced for 14 years but always had it in the back of my mind to get into the education field at some point in my life.  I now have that opportunity as a Manager for the School and Youth Program for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  While I’m not in the classroom on a daily basis, I’m glad I have found an opportunity to work with schools and interact with students while also helping to find a cure for blood cancers. 

I don’t have a personal connection to a blood cancers but I have seen how blood cancer research has benefitted patients with other types of cancer. My brother has been battling thyroid cancer for seven years so my work with LLS has found a new purpose. Knowing the funds our students raise may one day benefit my brother has renewed my dedication to our mission.

My role within the School and Youth Program has given me the chance to develop relationships with educators that I truly cherish. Educating students about blood cancers and the importance of serving our communities is the most rewarding part of my job.

We had a wonderful year last year and we could not have accomplished so much without the help and dedication of our school coordinators. To our coordinators out there, thank you so much for all your work and I hope we have the opportunity to work together in the coming year.  If you don’t already participate, please consider registering for our Pennies for Patients or Pasta for Pennies Programs this upcoming school year. The program is easy to administer, can be run at any time during the school year and teaches students about the value of giving back to your community.

There are a number of new elements to our program this year.  We are introducing new materials for high school students this year and offering new opportunities for schools to accept online donations. More details about the program and the chance to register can be found at

www.schoolandyouth.org/ntx. Be sure to like us on Facebook so you can keep up to date on all our activities.  https://www.facebook.com/NtxSchoolAndYouth