Leah Littenberg: Leading with Heart in the Blood Cancer United Visionary of the Year Campaign
George Morford, picture courtesy of the Morford Family
Each year, Blood Cancer United’s Visionaries of the Year campaign brings together community leaders who are willing to step forward in the fight against blood cancers.
The campaign is a 10-week fundraising competition that supports critical research, patient care, and advocacy, all with the goal of creating a future without blood cancer.
For Leah Littenberg, saying yes to this role was deeply personal.
What is Visionaries of the Year?
In Leah’s words, the Visionaries of the Year campaign is more than just a fundraiser.
“Visionaries of the Year is a yearly blind competition between community and business leaders (in this case Fort Worth, though they host these campaigns nationwide) to raise as much money as possible to help find a cure, support families that are impacted by blood cancer, and to raise awareness.”
Each candidate leads a team throughout the campaign, working together to reach fundraising milestones and spread awareness across the community.
“Truly the biggest win of the campaign is being able to raise money and spread awareness for a wonderful cause.”
Why Leah Said Yes This Year
Leah was first nominated last year, and while honored, she did not feel ready.
“I was truly shocked and honored to be nominated last year and honestly didn’t feel like I was worthy to run.”
She told organizers she wanted to wait, hoping she could fully commit the following year.
Then everything changed.
Exactly one week after that decision, Leah’s friend Sarah’s 8-year-old son, George, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.
“At that moment, I called Chloe with BCU and told her I was absolutely in. For George, for all of the other victims and families that have and will be impacted by blood cancer.”
A Personal Connection That Runs Deep
Leah’s involvement is shaped by what she has witnessed firsthand walking alongside families affected by blood cancer.
“Seeing and walking firsthand with Sarah while she spent months on the 5th floor at Cook Children, countless rounds of chemo and other treatments to get George to where he is today… has been so eye opening, so heartbreaking and also so heartwarming all at the same time.”
She speaks with gratitude about the way their community rallied around the Morford family.
“The way the Morford’s community banded together to make sure they were well taken care of at such a low point was beyond beautiful.”
As a mom of three, the cause feels even closer to home.
“I think often about what it would be like to experience hearing those words about one of our kids… they have cancer. And the reality is that it could be one of them one day.”
Leah also shared that one of her team members, Sergio, is a leukemia survivor himself.
“He was diagnosed with leukemia about 5 years ago in his late 20s. He is also in remission and I’m so honored and excited that he’s on the team. He is such a wonderful, bright light.”
What It Means to Be Called a Visionary
The campaign describes Visionaries as people who see infinite possibility and lead the charge toward a better world.
For Leah, that mission comes down to community and compassion.
“It takes a village. As we’ve seen in the world lately, there’s a lot of hate and divide happening. What we really need is to come together and realize what actually matters.”
She admits she initially felt unworthy of the recognition.
“I really was shocked, honored and kind of taken aback because I didn’t feel like I was worthy.”
Now, she feels fueled by purpose.
“I’m excited and fueled up to lead our entire team in our fundraising goals and win it, for George, for Sergio.”
What Motivates Her on the Hard Days
Fundraising takes effort, persistence, and heart. Leah says her motivation always comes back to her why.
“George, Sergio, and knowing that every 3 seconds another person is claimed by this disease.”
“When you have a strong why, it makes it easier to push through, even on the hard and busy days.”
She also credits the strength of the team around her.
“We’ll all push each other to do more and reach out to one more person to hit our goal.”
Beyond Fundraising: The Bigger Purpose
Leah hopes this campaign creates more than donations. She wants it to create awareness, conversation, and connection.
“I’m hoping to shed light on BCU as an organization and spread awareness for blood cancer and the research they have going on to ideally cure blood cancers.”
She also hopes it reminds people to slow down and focus on what truly matters.
“There’s so much noise in the world and we’re so busy… it’s good to take a step back, slow down, and go back to the basics of what actually matters.”
How Leah and Her Team Are Approaching the Campaign
Leah is taking a hands-on, community-driven approach.
“We’re going to get together weekly as a team and reach out to individuals, businesses, anyone and everyone we know and ask for their support and donations.”
The team plans to host events, connect through social media, and build momentum throughout the 10 weeks.
“I’ve already written and sent letters to about 500 people and plan on using social media, reaching out to people I know via text and calls, plus events to reach and exceed our goal.”
Why This Cause Matters Right Now
Leah says what stood out to her most were the statistics and the urgency.
“Someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 3 seconds. That is a truly alarming stat.”
She also shared why blood cancer research is so promising.
“Because blood behaves the same way outside of the body as it does inside, we can study it for an extended period of time and run different therapies on it.”
How the Community Can Support
Leah says the most impactful way to help is simple.
“Donating will be the number one best way to support.”
Sharing the campaign with others also makes a huge difference.
“Sharing the campaign and donation link with your friends would be huge.”
There are also sponsorship opportunities, raffle contributions, and upcoming events where the community can rally behind the cause.
“Attending events and championing us throughout the 10-week campaign will be amazing too.”
Leah’s Visionaries of the Year journey is rooted in love, purpose, and the belief that community can make a real difference. Through this campaign, she is honoring George, Sergio, and every family impacted by blood cancer, while helping move research and support forward for the future.
