Luca Sciara ’27 Leads Student Visionaries Campaign, Raises Over $121,000 for Blood Cancer Research

Luca Sciara ‘27 took on a major leadership role this year as part of the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign run by Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). Over the course of seven weeks, he led Team Shut Out Cancer and helped raise $121,118.67 for blood cancer research and patient services - nearly half of Minnesota’s total of $276,689.91.

His involvement is closely tied to his family’s experience. In 2018, his 14-year-old sister was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The therapy that brought her into remission was developed through research supported by Blood Cancer United. In addition to his sister’s illness, his grandfather passed away from leukemia due to complications from treatment. Those connections, along with watching his sisters complete the campaign in 2021, led him to take on the campaign himself.

As the team’s “candidate,” Luca was responsible for managing the overall effort. He formed and led Team Shut Out Cancer, coordinated with program staff, organized meetings, tracked fundraising progress, and led his own outreach efforts. His team included fellow Cretin-Derham Hall student Owen Pershing ‘27.

The campaign included a range of community-based fundraising efforts. Luca organized a wristband day at school and helped lead a bake sale at a home hockey game. There was also a songwriting competition organized by an adult team member. Luca, Owen, and two friends participated and had the opportunity to work with a Nashville songwriter to create an original song.

“This program gave me the opportunity to gain skills that will help me as I head to college but it also allowed me to be in charge of an entire project that made a difference in the real world in real time… I feel proud that I am contributing to an organization that is dedicated to finding new, targeted, and less toxic treatments for cancer.”

Luca Sciara '27

Student Visionaries of the Year program is a seven‑week philanthropic leadership experience that empowers high school students to support Blood Cancer United’s mission while developing skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and project management. Luca’s mother, Marla Sciara, is now serving as a Campaign Development Manager for the program. She emphasized the value it offers students, noting that it helps develop skills in leadership, project management, public speaking, and time management, while also strengthening college applications.