Team Jim Thorpe took first place at the inaugural Lehigh Valley Students of the Year fundraising campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Jim Thorpe Area High School students Molly Behan and Natalia Richards raised $27,951 for the LLS, which will use the funds for research and treatment for those who suffer from blood cancers.The 15 students who participated in the fundraiser raised $102,000, every penny of which went to the charity.Both Behan and Richards were inspired to help out due to close personal experiences with the devastating illness.“There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t think about Hunter (Wolfe),” Behan said of her friend, who passed away from leukemia nine months after being diagnosed at 12 years old.“I am now 17 years old and my outlook on life has changed. I strive to live every day of my life to the fullest since Hunter didn’t have the chance.”Richards’ brother, Damian, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma three years ago, and quickly had the cancer removed through surgery.“Because of advancements in LLS research, my brother was able to avoid chemotherapy that would have affected his health and interrupted his life significantly,” said Richards. “Now Damian is a healthy 21-year old getting ready to graduate college.”As a reward for their efforts over the seven-week drive, the girls were given the title of Students of the Year, along with a $2,500 scholarship to a college or university of their choice.The girls’ original goal was to raise $20,000, and they certainly exceeded expectations.“We are so grateful for all of the donations received and thankful for everyone’s generosity towards our mission,” they said.