Fort Worth Family Turns Grief into Action with Blood Cancer Fundraising Campaign
A Fort Worth family is channeling their grief into a powerful fundraising effort for blood cancer research. Sarah Ayala is participating in Blood Cancer United’s Visionaries of the Year program in honor of her father, Guadalupe “Lupe” Ayala, who passed away in August 2025 after battling multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting white blood cells in the bone marrow.
Blood Cancer United initially approached Sarah in late 2024 to participate in the Visionaries of the Year campaign, but she declined due to her father’s ongoing cancer treatment. Later, she proposed they both take on the challenge together. “We honestly thought we had more time with him,” Sarah said.
A Legacy of Community and Philanthropy
Lupe Ayala was a prominent figure in the Fort Worth community, founding the restaurant chain La Playa in 1988. The Visionaries of the Year campaign officially launched at midnight on February 20, 2026, with a kickoff event held at the Stockyards location of La Playa.
Sarah is one of eight Tarrant County leaders participating in the 10-week philanthropic drive, which aims to raise funds for Blood Cancer United, the largest nonprofit dedicated to funding blood cancer research since 1949. The campaign has raised over $500 million through its 68 local chapters since its inception in 1990.
Turning Grief into Purpose
“I’m turning this grief into something with purpose,” Sarah Ayala stated. She emphasized that her father was eager to support the visionaries and the cause. “When I did tell him about this, he was just like, ‘Let me know how I can help.’ And this is a beautiful way for him to help.”
Sarah’s siblings – David Ayala, Amanda Sanchez, and Natalie Ayala Hall – are all part of her team, demonstrating a united family front in the fundraising effort. Natalie Ayala Hall highlighted the importance of raising awareness about blood cancer and the need for continued research.
Tarrant County’s Growing Impact
The Visionaries of the Year initiative has seen increasing success in Tarrant County. In 2024, teams raised just over $111,000, more than doubling to $255,855 in 2025. On the first day of the 2026 campaign, Tarrant County Visionaries raised $105,148.22.
Chloe Wilder, Tarrant County campaign development manager for Blood Cancer United, expressed optimism about reaching the 2026 goal of $500,000. “I think that it is entirely possible—and realistic that we even surpass that,” she said. Wilder noted that the initiative’s success stems from the personal connections participants have to blood cancer.
Blood Cancer United aims to add a million years of life to those suffering from over 100 different types of blood cancer. More than 18 million cancer survivors are currently living in the U.S. [2]
Identify out more about Sarah Ayala’s campaign here.