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Hollis Hand Elementary School raised $5,200 in three weeks for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through their Pennies for Patients campaign.

According to Hollis Hand School Counselor Natalie Doerr, the class that raised the most collected more than $1,000.

“The whole school participated, and they could have brought in any type of coins,” Doerr said. “This is the second year in a row we have raise more than $5,000. It is so great.” 

LLS is a nonprofit organization fighting blood cancer. According to the LLS website, it is the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers.

As a science-based service-learning program, Pennies for Patients connects schools with local blood cancer patients, provides tangible life skills to participants and allows students to see the impact they’re making in the lives of others.

LLS recently launched a new Children’s Initiative, which seeks to accelerate treatments with fewer harmful side effects so that young patients with cancer not only survive, but thrive for generations to come.

“When I came to Hollis Hand, I asked the principal if we could do the fundraiser,” Doerr said. “It helps teach the kids about giving to others and being kind and compassionate, which is a part of my job as a counselor. LLS has a really good program and work with several schools with Pennies for Patients.”

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Five homeroom classrooms earned a pizza party for bringing in the most donations.

“This is amazing,” Doerr said. “I wanted to get to $5,000 again but didn’t know if we could do it two years in a row. We have so many generous families that are willing to give.”

Doerr said every small donation and penny was counted.

“The kids that brought in just a few pennies were just so excited to give,” Doerr said. “Every penny helped in this case. They were all very excited, especially the ones that won the pizza party.”

The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.