CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte teen is raising awareness about blood cancer during Black History Month. This is at a time when data shows Black people have a lower survival rate for many cancers.
Jade Smith, 16, is a dual enrollment student. She attends Charlotte Lab School while also taking classes at Central Piedmont Community College.
She also participates in sports and additional extracurricular activities.
"I try to maintain a good balance for it all," Jade Smith said.
Jade is dedicating all the time she has towards finding a cure for cancer.
She is a member of the Student Visionaries of the Year Charlotte campaign. It's part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's efforts to raise awareness about blood cancer.
Student Visionaries of the Year consists of high school leaders participating in a 7-week competition to raise funds for LLS in honor of blood cancer survivors.
Jade's group, Team Unite Into the Light, is multi-generational, with ages ranging from 12 to 82.
There are 23 student-led fundraising teams. However, Jade says she's the only African American leading one of the groups.
Her goal is to raise $70,000 for blood cancer research. She says they've made great progress but still have a ways to go to reach their goal.
"I have been doing multiple sponsorships, I've connected and partnered with a few companies, and raising funds with people I know," Jade Smith said.
Jade was motivated to be a student visionaries leader after she witnessed LLS supporting a 5-year-old named Piper, who was diagnosed with leukemia.
"It's really amazing what they did for her," Jade Smith said. "I'm really appreciative because I know how it [feels] to be that family."
This subject matter hits close to her heart.
Jade says growing up, many of her relatives were diagnosed with a form of cancer, including her grandmother Shirely Smith, who is now a breast cancer survivor.
"I did lose my hair," Shirley Smith said. "I'm just blessed God helped me to get through it so well."
Shirely is also a member of her granddaughter's fundraising team.
"So proud of her," Shirely Smith said.
Jade Smith says it's important to raise awareness in the Black community about all cancers, because it's hitting so many families.
According to a report published in the National Library of Medicine, Black individuals have a disproportionate cancer burden, including the lowest survival of any racial/ethnic group for most cancers.
A recent report from the American Cancer Society says one in three Black men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It also says one in five Black men and one in six Black women will die from the disease.
Jade says now is the time for the Black community to fight cancer together, especially the younger generation, until cancer is cured. She hopes her fundraising actions will motivate others to join the cause.
"We can be the generation to stop and end cancer," Jade Smith said. "I can do my part with encouraging people."
The fundraiser wraps up on March 4. You can find more details about the campaign on Jade's website.