At 17, Noblesville High School junior Joey Beahrs is preparing for what he hopes will be one of the most impactful projects of his life. This winter, he will launch his campaign for Blood Cancer United’s Student Visionaries of the Year, a competitive, seven-week fundraising effort benefiting the organization formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For Joey, the mission isn’t abstract but rather deeply personal.
When Joey was just 10 years old, and in fourth grade, a small lump on his shoulder turned out to be Hodgkin’s lymphoma. What began as a routine doctor visit quickly led to biopsies, a diagnosis, and a grueling months-long battle that included both chemotherapy and radiation.
“They tested some skin from it and found out it was cancer,” he says.
His treatment required outpatient chemotherapy four to five days a week for several hours at a time, stretching across multiple rounds. Games and movies eased the monotony and discomfort of long hospital days. Joey says anything helped to pass the hours while sitting through the treatments. After chemo, he traveled to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital daily for two weeks of radiation to finish treatment.
Today, he is healthy, active, and grateful. But he hasn’t forgotten what that time was like, nor the impact it had on his family. The Beahrs family responded to Joey’s diagnosis with action, creating Joey’s Journey Foundation and hosting annual events like the August golf outing. Their philanthropy invites community members to join in making a difference.
Now, Joey is stepping up to carry the torch. As he gears up for his 2025 campaign, Joey is building a team, securing sponsorships, and preparing for the official fundraising window, which runs from January through early March. His current goal? $100,000. An ambitious target that can fund vital research and support services. He admits it may shift as the campaign develops, but every dollar brings us closer to breakthroughs in childhood cancer treatment.
Joey and his family are brainstorming creative fundraising ideas, leaning on past candidates and community partners. One idea is a karaoke night hosted by Jack and his fraternity brothers at Butler University, an event open to community members and supporters. From corporate sponsorships to peer fundraising and team-driven events, there are many ways for community members to participate and make an impact.
For Joey, supporting Blood Cancer United goes beyond raising money. It’s about improving the patient experience for kids facing an unimaginable diagnosis.
“Some of the medicines had weird side effects that were painful,” he says. “This research can go toward medicines that don’t hurt as much, or toward more entertainment for kids who are just sitting around in the hospital all day.”
When he’s not campaigning, Joey plays tennis for Noblesville High School and trains several days a week in Pendleton and Carmel. As for his future, he’s still exploring his interests but sees himself at a smaller college after graduation.
With a strong community behind him and a powerful personal story fueling his passion, Joey is ready to turn his cancer journey into meaningful change one donation at a time.
For more information, visit pages.lls.org/svoy/in/svoyIndiana26/jbeahrs.
