Difference Maker: Edwardsville Student Grace Capron Leads Months-Long Blood Cancer Fundraiser

High school junior spearheads a comprehensive campaign supporting Blood Cancer United through fundraising and advocacy.

Feb 14, 2026 8:05 AM Feb 14, 2026 8:55 PM

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EHS student Grace Capron. EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School junior Grace Capron is taking on a months-long fundraising and advocacy campaign to support Blood Cancer United, a group formerly known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through a student leadership program she joined last April 2025.

Capron is participating in Student Visionaries, which she described as “a philanthropic leadership program through Blood Cancer United.” While the official campaign runs seven weeks, she said the work started much earlier.

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Capron is a Difference Maker in her Edwardsville community and beyond.

“I signed up for this last April,” she said. “So, I’ve been planning for a while, and it’s been a lot of work, but it’s been really rewarding at the same time.”

Sen. Harriss and EHS student Grace Capron.

State Sen. Erica Harriss of Glen Carbon had some very positive comments about Capron's efforts:

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"I want to take a moment to highlight an inspiring initiative led by Grace Capron, a junior at Edwardsville High School. Grace will be representing her school as a candidate in Blood Cancer United’s 2026 Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. From January 17th to March 7th, students across the St. Louis area will work to raise awareness about blood cancers and support efforts to find a cure.

"Grace’s dedication to this cause comes from a personal place - she hopes to honor family friends and members of her community who have been affected by blood cancers. Her leadership and commitment are a wonderful example of how young people can make a real difference in the lives of others."

Capron’s effort is a challenge only a few students at the school have taken on before, involving both fundraising and advocacy over several months.

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