Friendly Bridge Club supports Hope in Motion's mission against Blood Cancer

My name is Hayden Olson and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a 2026 Blood Cancer United (formally the Leukemia Lymphoma Society) student Visionaries candidate for the city of Dallas. BCU is a non-profit helping to raise awareness and money to help improve blood cancers, with the hope that one day battling blood cancer can see its end. But we need bridge clubs like you willing to donate, and eager to share this mission with others so this dream can become a reality. Through my campaign, I hope I can, at the least, convince you to take a deeper look into blood cancer. But, my true hope is that you will want a change as quickly as possible, just like we do, and will donate to help make this the last generation to see blood cancer.

My campaign is very personal. Every 3-minutes a family hears life changing words ‘Your loved one has cancer’. Blood cancers make up 10% of all cancers in the United States, and is the leading cancer in children (Leukemia). At 26-weeks pregnant, my parents heard these exact words, and what had been a normal, healthy pregnancy, became a critical, high-risk pregnancy, all in a matter of minutes. Within a week, my parents closed up their home in Pennsylvania, moving to Indianapolis, IN, to be closer to family as they started their cancer journey along with becoming first time parents. Due to Blood Cancer United research, doctors were able to move forward with creating and executing treatment plans, while my Mom was still pregnant. Partnering closely with Obgyn doctors, my brother (Kyle) was delivered at 36 weeks, providing a positive light to what was going to be a long 18-month treatment program. After 12 chemotherapy treatment rounds, 2 surgeries and 17 doses of radiation, my Mom was declared in remission! While there have been some scares along the way and lingering higher risk of health issues, proactive monitoring and medicine help to ensure she maintains a healthy life. We are more than excited to be celebrating her 20-year remission milestone this year!

While all occurred before I was born, as a family we remain actively engaged in fundraising efforts to increase awareness of blood cancers through annual stair climbs & light the night events. We know how fragile life can be, and how cancers can impact and change lives within minutes, so we look for every opportunity to make memories now through living life to the fullest. I truly appreciate your support in helping put an end to Blood Cancer.