In an extraordinary show of commitment and leadership, Stony Brook University’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS at SBU) chapter has rapidly become a national leader in fundraising for cancer research despite its debut as an official club on campus in January 2024.
Driven by students Aviram “Avi” Nessim and Eli Olevsky, the organization has raised more than $10,000 since its inception in early 2024. Their success makes them the top-performing club within the nationwide LLS on-campus program, a remarkable feat achieved within just a few months.
Nessim, a senior majoring in biology and psychology, has been dedicated to fundraising for cancer research from a young age, driven by his personal experiences with leukemia. Not only did his grandfather lose his battle with the disease, but Nessim also grew up alongside a close childhood friend who fought leukemia.
At 10 years old, Nessim began fundraising through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program, inspired by his close friend who was battling leukemia at the time. Over the years, he has raised thousands of dollars for the cause. Now at Stony Brook, Nessim has transformed his passion into a university-wide movement, rallying students to support the fight against blood cancers.
“Fundraising started as a way to honor my grandfather’s memory and support my friend,” Nessim shared. “In the 1950s, a leukemia diagnosis often felt like a death sentence. But today, thanks to advances in research and treatment, there’s real hope. Knowing that our efforts support this progress drives us to keep pushing forward.”
With a personal commitment of his own, Olevsky co-founded the Stony Brook LLS chapter with Nessim. Olevsky was inspired by the memory of his grandmother, who died from colon cancer, and by his mother, who actively raised funds for cancer research throughout his childhood. Now a psychology major, Eli has dedicated himself to creating a lasting impact with the LLS chapter at Stony Brook.
“Watching my mother turn her grief into action showed me how we can find strength through community and advocacy,” Olvesky shared. “With LLS, we’re building a network of students motivated to make a difference and support each other.”
Within its first semester of officially becoming a club on campus, LLS at SBU raised $6,500 and quickly gained recognition as the top fundraising chapter within the national LLS program. This semester, they’ve raised over $4,000 in just seven weeks, continuing to break nationwide records.
A core element of LLS at SBU’s approach is its wide range of events designed to raise both awareness and support. The club organizes bake sales, tabling events and interactive workshops to actively engage students.
Recently, they organized a fundraising workshop to teach members how to approach local businesses for donations. During the session, Olevsky and Nessim role-played various scenarios, offering practical examples and setting expectations for outreach calls, equipping them with valuable skills for their future careers.
These events are not only about raising awareness but also about creating opportunities for students to grow both personally and professionally. By offering such experiences, LLS at SBU prepares students to make a difference in the fight against blood cancer and in their own futures.
Additionally, the club partners with local restaurants including Olive Garden to cater their events, hoping to attract more students to get involved. These efforts not only build relationships between local businesses and Stony Brook students but also inspire people to participate and make a meaningful impact.
“I dedicate a lot of time to calling local businesses, hoping they’ll contribute whatever they can,” Nessim explained. “It’s amazing to see how many are willing to help, and it makes such a difference in supporting our events.”
According to LLS, someone in the United States dies from blood cancer approximately every nine minutes. An estimated 1,698,339 people in the country are living with or are in remission from leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative neoplasms.
With these staggering statistics, the club highlights the urgent need for continued support and research.
“When students donate, even if it’s just five dollars, it might not seem like much,” Olevsky said. “But that small contribution goes directly to funding critical research and supporting patients battling blood cancer. Every dollar counts in the fight to save lives.”
In addition to their impressive fundraising efforts, LLS at SBU has built strong partnerships with local businesses to further their cause. They maintain a detailed log of local businesses — including Rockabilly Barbers, Shah’s Halal and Tiger Lily Cafe — and regularly reach out to them for donations. These contributions are then used to create gift boxes that are auctioned at events to help raise further funds.
One standout initiative is their basket giveaway, which features merchandise donated by small businesses. The club put in countless hours reaching out to these businesses, securing over $1,200 worth of items to include in the baskets.
Their first giveaway held last semester was a huge success, attracting attention and excitement from the campus community. Due to its popularity, LLS at SBU is planning to host another giveaway this semester, with even more businesses contributing to the cause. These giveaways not only raise funds but also foster a sense of community and collaboration between the club and local businesses, ensuring continued support for their mission.
Stephanie Sukhraj, the event coordinator for the club and a junior majoring in health sciences, emphasized the importance of the club’s efforts. “It’s incredible to see the impact we’re making,” Sukhraj said. “The support we get from students and the local community makes all the difference, and it motivates us to keep organizing events and raising awareness for blood cancer research.”
As both Nessim and Olevsky prepare to graduate in May 2025, they are confident that the LLS chapter at Stony Brook is just beginning.
They hope the foundation they’ve built will ensure that the chapter remains relevant and its reach continues to grow. By creating a sustainable structure, they believe the chapter will stay adaptable and effective long after they’ve graduated.
“This is more than just a college club — it’s a movement,” Nessim said. “The impact we’ve made will continue long after we leave. We’ve built a foundation, and we know the students who follow will carry it forward, ensuring the fight against blood cancer never stops.”
Their legacy of dedication and leadership will inspire future generations of students to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the battle against cancer.
Stony Brook’s LLS chapter has plans to broaden its outreach and involve more students and community members in upcoming events, with an ultimate mission to foster a strong culture of compassion and action on campus.
