Juniors Lead Team to Raise Over $100,000 for Blood Cancer Research
![2026 Student Visionaries - Sophie Hicks and Thomas Garces]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775592289/uscsdk12paus/eqi7l2xtuo6nhwowimll/2026StudentVisionaries.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775592289/uscsdk12paus/eqi7l2xtuo6nhwowimll/2026StudentVisionaries.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775592289/uscsdk12paus/eqi7l2xtuo6nhwowimll/2026StudentVisionaries.png","width":800}])
Upper St. Clair High School juniors Sophie Hicks and Thomas Garces led their team, Panther Paws for a Cause, to raise $100,623 to help bring an end to blood cancers.
Upper St. Clair High School juniors Sophie Hicks and Thomas Garces led their team, Panther Paws for a Cause, to raise $100,623 to help bring an end to blood cancers.
As co-candidates for the 2026 Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign they led a team of 14 Upper St. Clair classmates, including Bea Boughner, Danica Del Sole, Lucy Gessel, Caty Howard, Sam Kerber, Braden LeBeau, Evelyn McDermott, Grace McDonough, Myles Owens, Claire Reyes, Anthony Rozzo, Gabbie Shanahan, Abby Stein and Rex Wantje.
“Their team, Panther Paws for a Cause, worked so incredibly hard during the seven-week campaign and surpassed their initial fundraising goal by $25,000,” Jill Hicks, Sophie’s mom, said.
Sophie and Thomas celebrated their accomplishment, along with their team, at the Blood Cancer United Grand Finale event on March 28, 2026, at the Heinz History Center.
The 2026 Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries of the Year campaign is a philanthropic competition to raise funds and awareness for blood cancer research. Students compete by leading teams to raise money, with proceeds supporting Blood Cancer United’s research, patient services, and advocacy.
- USCHS