Power isn’t always a prerequisite for leadership.

The most effective leaders are often people who have been transformed by a personal experience and given the determination to use it as a catalyst for profound change.

And sometimes, the youngest advocates teach the best leadership lessons. The teens who fundraise for Blood Cancer United through its Student Visionaries of the Year campaign are a case in point.

The philanthropic leadership development program for high schoolers brings together thousands of students and volunteers from all over the country to raise money for cancer research, support free education initiatives and give voice to both patients and survivors.

Below, the top fundraisers from this year’s campaign explain how the experience changed them, what it taught them about leadership and how it empowered them to make a difference.

For Orion Greene, 16, supporting blood cancer research and treatment has always been a family affair.

His father, John Greene, who faced multiple bouts of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) over 15 years, raised $8 million for the cause before succumbing to the disease last year. John Greene had also served as a Blood Cancer United board member.

Orion is now carrying on his father’s legacy with his own fundraising efforts. He recruited a network of friends, family and his father’s colleagues to join his team. As a group, Team Greene Goblins rallied support from across the country through big asks, email and social media campaigns, t-shirt sales and events.

Greene says he didn’t have a specific fundraising goal, but was inspired by a bold ask his dad made nearly 10 years before when he worked as an executive at Salesforce.

“In 2017, he asked Marc Benioff [cofounder and CEO of Salesforce] for $1 million to help his fundraiser,” Greene says. “We wanted to recreate a similar thing.”

They were able to ask Benioff directly over a videoconference, and Salesforce again donated $1 million, contributing to Greene’s more than $1.2 million fundraising total, a record-breaking campaign. As the top fundraiser, Greene was named National Student Visionary of the Year.

Greene says the campaign made him more confident about speaking in front of large groups, communicating about sensitive topics and sharing his family’s story. When asked what his father would think about his accomplishment, Greene’s answer was simple.

“I think he’d be proud,” he said.

High school seniors Isabella Nilio and Valentina DePaço demonstrate how working together can amplify the impact.

Though they had never launched a big fundraising campaign, connections to blood cancer patients drove them. For DePaço, it was the story of Blood Cancer United’s 6-year-old honored hero, Giuseppe, who was diagnosed with B-cell leukemia last year. Giuseppe, who is also from Northern New Jersey, inspired and cheered on local fundraising teams.

“I’m proud that we were able to make a connection with people like Giuseppe. It was really just so heartwarming” DePaço recalled.

Nilio’s uncle was her reason to push forward.

“It’s personal to me because my uncle is currently battling blood cancer, so I really wanted to do something for him. I thought this was a perfect time,” she says.

The two 17-year-olds, with the support and guidance from their parents, started by recruiting students from nearby schools. They rallied and motivated their team — BE-VALuable for a Cure — to organize events and seek donations from local businesses and community members.

They set an ambitious fundraising goal of $650,000, higher than the $500,000 last year’s national winner raised. Nilio and DePaço exceeded it, raising more than $715,000 and earning the team National Runners-Up honors . Both say the experience taught them leadership doesn’t have an age requirement.

“I’m just such a changed person. I can speak to people. I can reach out. I’m not afraid to speak in front of people and ask for things. I’m more bold now,” DePaço says.

“You don’t realize how much of an impact that young people can make,” Nilio says.

When her twin, Gunnar, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt lymphoma in 2024, Gray Shields was inspired to act.

The 15-year-old had never previously fundraised but decided to join Team Gunning for a Cure. Named in honor of Gunnar, it was established by her cousin and a family friend.

Shields’ fundraising strategy involved calls, text messages and community events. She sent more than 200 emails the day the campaign kicked off and engaged local community members, like her hair stylist, who donated a day’s worth of proceeds.

Gunnar, who is now in remission after six months of intense chemotherapy, also helped raise money. Shields originally set a $10,000 goal, but she surpassed it, collecting more than $210,000 and earning her the title of National Team Member of the Year for raising the most as an individual.

Shields, a high school freshman and the youngest to earn the title, says fundraising as an eighth grader taught her how to mobilize her community around an important cause and be open about her family’s experience because it can inspire someone else.

“This is Gunnar’s story, and talking about it so openly, I was really proud of myself,” Shields says, adding that she learned to trust the process when encouraging people to donate.

“Patience through the process is really important,” Shields added. “That will lead you to success.”

Altogether, students who participated in the campaign have so far raised nearly $60 million dollars this year for blood cancer treatment, research and advocacy.

“When young people unite around a cause greater than themselves, they become catalysts for change,” said Coker Powell, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Blood Cancer United. “Student Visionaries of the Year empowers the next generation of leaders to turn passion into purpose.”

Their efforts will also have a personal impact. The experience helps them discover the confidence and skills to imagine a better world and help create it, paving the way for them to become community leaders who give back.

“Through this program, students gain leadership, empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility while raising money for lifesaving research and patient support.” Loretta Mason, Senior Manager, Social Responsibility and Community Investment, Sunbelt Rentals, a National Presenting Partner of Student Visionaries of the Year.

Is The Next Student Visionary Of The Year Someone You Know? Learn How To Nominate Them .

Writer: Satta Sarmah Hightower

Designer: Martine Ehrhart