If you’re looking for a good cause to donate to this winter, lend some spare change for the National Honor Society Pennies for Patients (PFP) campaign in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Southern Lehigh has been involved with the charity for the past twelve years.  

The PFP campaign is headed by NHS adviser, Mrs. Lynne Kelly. Thanks to her and NHS members acting as PFP officers, PFP has given students and staff an easy opportunity to actively support LLS.

“I would say most importantly our success [is directly related] to how involved our teacher community has been,” Mrs. Kelly said. “I’d also say our students are a driving factor, and last year they really pushed the campaign to the outside community.”

To provide an incentive for student donations over the span of three weeks last March, NHS provided rewards for every $1,000 earned: numerous staff members received pies to the face by students, ate gross foods, participated in a sumo wrestling match, got slime poured all over them, and showed down in a rap battle. In total, SLHS managed to raise close to $6,000. The school has even more surprises in store for this year, hopefully persuading kids to work together to raise money.

“Everybody’s gonna have the opportunity to be on a squad or a team, and hopefully have the ability to perform or participate in the pep rally,” Mrs. Kelly said.

Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised for LLS by elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide. LLS is the largest voluntary organization dedicated to funding research and finding cures for patients suffering from an abnormal amount of white blood cells in the tissue and bloodstream. Symptoms include frequent infections, easy bleeding, red spots, and bone pain. Contrary to popular belief, leukemia affects both adults and children, with an estimated 13.7 out of every 100,000 men diagnosed every year according to the National Cancer Institute.

“Leukemia affects a lot of people in the world, so I think it’s great that this charity helps out so many people,” junior Ben Moskowitz said. “I don’t get a chance to donate often, so it’s good that the school gives us this option.”

If you missed out last year and want to involved, Pennies for Patients donation boxes will be placed in classrooms around the school again this winter. You can also visit pennies.org or studentseries.org to donate early.