At just 15 years old, Cedar Connell received a life-changing diagnosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a challenging form of blood and bone marrow cancer. This unexpected turn brought his active teenage life to a momentary standstill.
As Cedar, now 18, shared on his blog, “When I received the prognosis, everything in my life stopped: school, tennis training, travel, and socialization. Fighting cancer became my only job.” Rather than allowing this diagnosis to define him, Cedar embraced his journey with determination and a positive spirit.
Even during his hospital stay, Cedar sought ways to stay active. With a zest for life, he asked the nurses for a stationary bike in his room. Initially, he could only pedal for two minutes, but with perseverance and encouragement from the hospital staff, he gradually increased his exercise to 30 minutes. “Just as the doctors were doing their jobs to cure my cancerous cells, I would do my job in mitigating muscle atrophy by keeping myself active,” he reflected, showcasing his incredible resilience.
Cedar’s journey inspired the creation of “3 for 31,” an uplifting fundraising initiative that encourages participants to exercise three miles a day for 31 days to raise awareness for blood cancer patients and research. “This can be done in any form of exercise you prefer, whether that is running, walking, biking, paddle-boarding, rowing, climbing, and anything else,” Cedar urged. His enthusiasm for movement is a beacon of hope for others.
Alongside his sister Posey, Cedar founded ConneLLS for a CURE, a fundraising team supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in their mission to conquer blood cancers. For over 75 years, LLS has been dedicated to advancing treatments and improving the lives of cancer patients. Their fundraising goal was set at $35,000, but the Connell siblings surpassed all expectations, raising an astounding $620,438 in just seven weeks. Their remarkable efforts earned them the title of LLS Student Visionaries of the Year.
Coker Powell, LLS's chief revenue officer, expressed admiration for the young philanthropists involved, noting, “The incredible young philanthropists involved in Student Visionaries of the Year have a vision for a better future and are truly helping cancer patients live longer, better lives.”
Reflecting on their journey, Posey shared, “We wanted to give back to the organization that made my brother's recovery possible.” Today, Cedar is in remission, with his treatment concluding this month. He hopes that the funds raised will contribute to safer and more effective treatments for future patients, stating, “I’m so humbled to pay it forward.”
The Connell siblings exemplify the spirit of resilience and hope, inspiring others with their dedication to making a difference in the fight against cancer.
