Schools Invited to Take Part in Programs Teaching Community Service While Raising Money for Cancer Cures

Sacramento, CA, December 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is urging local schools to participate in its Pennies for Patients® Program, which teaches children caring, sharing, respect for others and the value of community service while raising money to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The need for cures is critical: 670,000 Americans are battling blood cancers, and leukemia remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children under 15.

The Pennies for Patients® Program is one of the Society’s School & Youth SM Programs, which have raised millions of dollars to support the Society’s research and patient services. To make it easier for schools to register for School & Youth programs, the Society launched a new Web site, www.schoolandyouth.org.

For three weeks starting January 26, classrooms will collect money—including pennies and other spare change. The classrooms that raise the most funds will earn class parties, pennants or plaques. The top fundraising schools will win prizes such as computers, electronics and sports equipment.

“Pennies for Patients® Program demonstrates to children that their efforts can really make a difference,” said Angela Speisser, School & Youth Campaign Manager of the Greater Sacramento Chapter. “Last year, six million students in more than 12,000 schools across the country raised $10.5 million. In our area, students raised over $315,000.”

In 2003, students in the nation’s number one fundraising school were visited by multi-platinum recording artist and actress, Mandy Moore, who personally congratulated students for their efforts. Moore is the National Honorary Chairperson for the Society’s School & Youth Programs.

For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Programs, log onto www.schoolandyouth.org. To learn more about programs and services provided by the Greater Sacramento Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, call 800.410.8170.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $358 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

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