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. So far, the school has raised $8,000 toward its $25,000 goal.
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.
Online donations to support the school’s effort can be made at http://tinyurl.com/EGES2016.
