The student body at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is joining the fight against blood cancers this week by offering donations to help fund research and care for patients suffering from leukemia and lymphoma.
“Pennies for Patients” is an annual fund drive organized by the Humanitarian Club to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, whose mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The club will be collecting coins from Monday, Feb. 12 to Friday, Feb. 16. This year’s target goal for the school is $750, according to club advisor and social studies teacher Mark Harmon.
“With the help of every student, we can help raise money needed for researching and finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma,” Harmon said, adding that even a few pennies can help.
Every three minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which estimates about six people die from it every hour, meaning about 152 people lose their lives to these diseases every day and about 55,000 people lose their lives every year.
Each teacher will have a box to collect donations of spare change. The teacher who earns the most amount of money will win a pizza party for his or her classes. If the school meets the $750 goal, the teacher or class that raises the most money will win a $50 gift card to Domino’s Pizza.