Wantagh High School students are determined to make an impact in the fight against blood cancers. This year’s Warriors for a Cure team raised more than $118,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, with junior Allie Reisert alone responsible for a quarter of that total.
For the second year in a row, Allie received the Team Member of the Year award for all of Long Island. This year she raised about $28,000 for LLS through online donations and bake sales of homemade goods.
Allie’s older sister, Ashley, was a Warriors for a Cure leader in 2021. That inspired Allie to get involved in the fundraising effort when she got to high school, in two years has raised nearly $45,000.
“I admired how my sister showed so much dedication and I wanted to follow in her footsteps,” Allie said. “I’m so grateful that I have the chance to make such an impact.”
The seven-week fundraising campaign ran from Feb. 6 to March 27. This year’s pillar is patient support, with the proceeds going to benefit people currently battling leukemia and lymphoma. Allie created a presentation on Canva about the fundraiser and its impact that she shared with potential donors.
“I feel so inspired that I get to help all of these patients through their cancer journey,” Allie said.
Beyond the fundraiser, Allie is involved in dance and attends the Manhattan Youth Ballet School. She also is vice president of the general organization, a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Wantagh Animal Rights and Class of 2026, and plays the violin the orchestra. Additionally, she has been a part of the Rustic Pathways Climate Leader Fellowship, leading a community service initiative to support the One Tree Planted organization.
This year’s Warriors for a Cure leaders for the LLS fundraiser were Gabe Avitable, Mike Avitable, James DiCerbo and Matt Reilly. Under their leadership, the team raised $118,240 for LLS to win the Long Island campaign and far exceed their goal of $50,000. It brought Wantagh’s five-year total to more than $425,000.
“It feels awesome,” James said about the impact Wantagh has made, noting that many people who donated have a personal connection to the cause as they have known someone diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.
The team was inspired by meeting Elijah, a 7-year-old leukemia survivor, who was the honored hero at a kick-off bowling event for all Long Island fundraising teams.
“It was truly incredible how everyone did get together to raise so much money,” Matt said, adding that several members of Warriors for a Cure raised at least $1,000. “This year everyone went above and beyond. It shows how people truly care and our success is because of the individual efforts of every single person.”
Photo caption:
1: Wantagh High School Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone congratulates the Warriors for a Cure team on a successful fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team leaders included, from left, Matt Reilly, Gabe Avitable, Mike Avitable and James DiCerbo, along with top fundraiser Allie Reisert.
2: Junior Allie Reisert was the Student of the Year Campaign winner for Long Island by raising about $28,000 for LLS.
Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District
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