Students at Elbridge Gale Elementary School have set a goal to raise more than $25,000 to help fund blood cancer research and provide help and hope to thousands of patients and their families through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pasta for Pennies program, presented by Olive Garden.

Last year, the students rallied and raised more than $17,500 for LLS, becoming the top school in Florida.

When the school achieves its goal this year, it will have the honor of becoming linked with a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funded research portfolio in honor and in memory of the students who have had leukemia at the school.

To reach the goal, students and staff have mapped out a fun and educational plan. The school will host its second annual Pi Day on Friday, March 11 from noon to 2 p.m., where students will throw pies at 70 teachers and administrators. In addition, the school has planned chess tournaments, bakes sales and dress down days. Individually, students will collect spare change and reach out to friends, families and neighbors to raise awareness and support. 

Elbridge Gale became involved with LLS after student Sebastian Sarmiento was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. He passed away in 2009. Again this year, Elbridge Gale has yet another student diagnosed with leukemia. Andrew Dawson is a 6-year-old first grader who recently completed the maintenance phase of his chemotherapy treatment.

Last year alone, LLS invested nearly $79.8 million in cutting-edge research. And many LLS-supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients, but are now used to treat patients with other forms of cancers as well.  Nearly 40% of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA between 2000 and 2014 were first approved for blood cancer patients.

We really are changing the face of blood cancer!

• Support a specific student, search for the student’s name* on the left side of the screen to locate their fundraising page.  
• Make a general donation to our school, please click the Donate Now button
• All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. Donations support LLS research, patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services.

Please visit our Web site often to check our progress and invite friends who would also like to donate!

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, we thank you for your support!

For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org 

* Please note that students under the age of 14 will not be displayed during a search nor in the leaderboards below in compliance with COPPA.