Students Travel to NYC to Advance Blood Cancer Awareness

By Fannie Bradley Hinson ’27

Carter Rumph ’26 and Tori McMillan ’26 raised a record-breaking $283,000 in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 
 
Carter and Tori, along with Cate Turner ’27, composed their team of 22 Lovett students in February 2025. They competed against 37 other teams and received the title of Student Visionaries of the Year, which is awarded to the group that raises the most money, significantly impacts the lives of cancer patients and their families, and furthers research and advocacy.

During Fall 2025, Carter and Tori had the privilege of attending a conference hosted by Blood Cancer United to learn about current blood cancer research, scientists' findings, and their goals for the next couple of years. In addition to meeting the President of Blood Cancer United, the students collaborated with the head of fundraising efforts. 

This initiative is deeply personal—both Carter and Tori have lost family members to blood cancer. The students expressed that persistence while reaching out to prospective donors is the key to their success.

“Put 100% into everything that you do, whether it be the fundraising or the reaching out,” said Carter. “I think just fully commit yourself to it and set that high number for yourself. I think we had a lot of confidence in our team members, and we really chose people for a reason. We knew they were all very devoted and committed people, and so we knew that they would be able to just help us do the best we could.” 
Tori says to achieve this goal, she and her team sent weekly emails to their lists of donors. The students say it was surreal to learn and see firsthand where all their fundraising efforts went after the conference.
“All the money that we raise is going to help them be able to fund these researchers who are putting all these hours in and materials in order to just even find just a little something that can then help progress the path slowly,” said Carter.