The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a foundation that works to fight blood cancers by finding cures, giving patients access to affordable treatments, and being an advocate for patients and their families through hard times. Blood cancers range from leukemia, to lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and can happen to anyone. Leukemia, however, primarily affects children and young adults. Pennies for Patients is a fundraiser for schools all throughout Maryland that helps raise awareness for local patients. It helps students and teachers not only learn about LLC, the world’s largest voluntary health agency, but about blood cancers and what they can do to help. Every school has a patient that they fundraise for, whether the patient has just recently been diagnosed or has already begun treatment. Not only does fundraising help the patient in need, but it helps “thousands of others [fighting] blood cancers,” and allows a student body to be “a part of something greater than themselves.”

The LLS’s Pennies for Patients intends for every school to participate in the fundraiser. The giving goes beyond FCPS and Maryland schools, it’s nationwide and for a three week period only. Running from February 22nd through March 29th, students and teachers from all over have the chance to donate either coins or paper money (checks are allowed, too) to aim close to the 40.3 million dollar amount they reached last year. For Tuscarora specifically, the goal is $1,000. The top-fundraising FLEX class will get a party commending their achievements. Look for a donation box in your FLEX class and reach out to Key Club Advisors Casey Rudzinski or Terri Bush with any questions you may have regarding the campaign.

Pennies for Patients not only encourages schools to donate by spreading awareness and providing the tools to get the campaign started, but it keeps the school connected to their patient, making the end goal seem more attainable. Tuscarora will be raising money for Amari. Amari is a leukemia survivor and an honored hero at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In October, 2015, he was diagnosed with Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is still undergoing treatment. His bravery and courage have earned him the nickname, “Too Tough”. Amari, or Too Tough, is 5 years old and loves to play soccer. His favorite character is the Hulk, although some would argue Amari is a better superhero. Not only will participating in Pennies for Patients make a difference for Amari, but it will “develop better treatments and ultimately a cure for cancer.” Titans have a chance to take responsibility and make a difference today- start now.

Sources

http://www.studentseries.org/

https://www.lls.org/facts-and-statistics/facts-and-statistics-overview

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/A-Rock-County-School-collects-coins-for-a-cause–368679371.html