In 2011, childhood cancer took the life of 12-year-old Hunter Wolfe. Not only does he remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, his memory has become the motivation for recent and current Jim Thorpe Area High School teams of students to help raise money for blood cancer research.

This year, Jim Thorpe seniors Ella Farnell and Max Allaham are putting their efforts together in memory of Hunter to participate in a Student of the Year 2022 competition sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Going against 18 other Lehigh Valley teams consisting of 33 students, Farnell and Allaham hope to raise over $50,000 and win first place, which comes with a $1,500 scholarship that would be split between them.

The Student of the Year contest began on Jan. 7 and will end seven weeks later on Feb. 26. Farnell’s involvement in the competition is driven by personal experience.

“I grew up together with Hunter and his sister, Olivia, and we were best friends,” she said. “Max and I are doing this for him and also to honor Damian Richards, a Jim Thorpe resident and a cancer survivor.

“This campaign means so much to me,” said Farnell, “as it allows me the opportunity to not only honor those who are fighting, but to keep the memory of those who lost their lives. Most importantly, I am doing this for Hunter Wolfe. Although blood does not bind me to Hunter and his family, they are part of my family. My siblings and I grew up with Hunter and his siblings. At the age of 12, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Unfortunately, he lost his battle and was taken from this world way too soon.”

Richards’ brother David and Olivia Wolfe won Students of the Year in 2019 by raising $52,000 in the seven-week period. Team Farnell and Allaham have set a similar goal to raise over $50,000 this year in the effort to help fight childhood cancer.

“Our mission is to get rid of cancer entirely for the next generation,” said Allaham. “I was introduced to this campaign by Ella and when I looked into the details of the program, I wanted to sign up.

Allaham did not personally know Hunter, but has learned about his life from Hunter’s mother, Kim Wolfe.

“To have a goal of $50,000 is just incredible through their grit, their effort, their sharp skills, their art of persuasion,” said Jim Thorpe Area High School Principal Thomas Lesisko in a recent interview by Blue Ridge Cable Channel 13. “They’re going to make it. I know they’re going earn that money and maybe more.”

Donations on behalf of the Farnell and Allaham team to the Lehigh Valley Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can be made at https://bit.ly/3rES5uT. Contributors can purchase full- or half-page color ads for the program book tribute or donate for a sponsorship, which is offered at various levels. The Hero Circle contribution supports local honored heroes and thousands of youth and adults in their fight against blood cancers. This level of sponsorship includes an invitation to the Grand Finale Celebration.

Those wishing to write a check can make it payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and in the memo of the check write “Ella Farnell.” Cash donations can be given directly to Ella Farnell or mail it to her address at 151 Weiler Road, Albrightsville, PA 18210.

Questions can be sent to her email address at ellamaxlls22@gmail.com.