Students at Clinton County Middle School proudly participated in The Luekemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Pennies for Patients Program, one of LLS’s national school and youth programs that raise money to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma while providing information and support services to patients and their families.

Pennies for Patients teaches students caring, sharing, respect for others and the value of community service, in addition to supporting an important cause. The need for cures is critical: leukemia remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children under 20 and blood cancers are the #3 cancer killer in North America. Over 4,000 individuals in Kentucky and Southern Indiana are currently battling a blood cancer.

The Pennies for Patients program ran for a two-week period from March 10 through March 21. Students at CCMS raised $2,130.37 to help LLS advance its mission to find cures.

“This was a great experience for our students,” said Teresa M. Scott at CCMS. “It taught them that they can make an important difference in the lives of others. It is gratifying that our students’ efforts are benefitting an outstanding organization like LLS.”

During the 2013-14 school year, 27,000 schools across the country raised $27.6 million through School and Youth Programs. In Kentucky and Southern Indiana, 374 schools participated in the Pennies for Patients program raising $385,000.

“It was so inspiring to know that the Clinton County Middle School students volunteer and really care about helping others,” said Shelia Gustafson, School and Youth Campaign Manager for the Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of LLS. “It’s a program that is truly meaningful for them because leukemia is a disease that impacts children. Students learn that they can really make a difference.”

For more information about LLS’ School and Youth Programs, visit www.schoolandyouthorg/ky. The Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter is located at 301 E. Main Street, Ste. 100, Louisville, KY 40202, 1.800.955.2566 or 502.584.8490.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure Leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.