Shaler Area High School set a new record earlier this month by raising $4,207 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With the help of the National Honors Society organizing the Pennies for Patients competition amongst 1st period classes, the new record was set. The money raised is going directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

According to its website, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is “dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers” and is “the world’s largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.”

The society itself was started in 1949 by a family who had just lost their teenage son to leukemia, which at the time was 100% fatal. This number has since dropped at least 30% since the society was invented.

After a down year in donations last year because of COVID, the students made up for it this year by almost doubling the previous record for money raised.

The students had a little more motivation to donate money as the top three classes that raised the most money in each of the two class size categories won a breakfast. They received a free first period pancake breakfast for their victories.

“This is so important because all of the money goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which helps with Childhood Leukemia that accounts for 25% of all cancers in children,” National Honor Society sponsor Ms. Abbey Nilson said.