A team of Santa Barbara high school students leading a fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer United will host a community fundraiser Wednesday, March 18 at Renaud’s Bakery on Coast Village Road in Montecito.

The benefit is part of their effort to raise funds for blood cancer research.

The student team, co-led by Jack Hyatt, Dos Pueblos High School junior, and Sebastian Fabio, Santa Barbara High junior, is participating in Blood Cancer United’s Student Visionaries of the Year campaign.

Their seven-member team has spent the past several weeks meeting with donors, giving presentations, and raising awareness in the community as they work toward their goal of raising $200,000 to fund breakthrough research.

During the March 18 event, Renaud’s Bakery will donate 20% of sales above what the bakery would typically expect for that day, based on comparable historical sales, with proceeds supporting Blood Cancer United’s research initiatives.

“This campaign has shown me that leadership isn’t about age, it’s about stepping up for something bigger than yourself,” said Hyatt.

“Our team is grateful for the support of local businesses like Renaud’s that are helping us raise funds for research that saves lives,” said Fabio.

Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, is a global leader in funding research for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. Research funded through the organization has helped significantly improve survival rates for patients over the past several decades.

To donate or learn more, visit https://pages.lls.org/svoy/calso/svoygc26/TeamJackandSebastian.