School's Out for Summer - and the Final Tally's in: U.S. Students Raised $18 Million in the Fight Against Blood Cancer

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In a campaign about kids helping kids, students at Orange High School in Orange, Calif., and at Princeton High School in Cincinnati, raised $39,493.30 and $39,093.50, respectively, making these schools the top two fundraisers in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School & Youth Programs for the 2006-2007 school year.

Nationally, more than 21,000 schools - kindergarten through high school - participated and raised over $18 million to help the Society fund blood cancer research and patient services. Other top fundraising schools included: Downey High School in Downey, Calif., $33,375.77; Oak Point Intermediate School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, $24,533.43; and North Shore Hebrew Academy in Great Neck, N.Y., $22,966.29.

"It's really heartening to see how enthusiastic these kids are about helping others," said Kristy Lysik, the Society's National Manager of School & Youth Programs. "This is such a meaningful program for kids because leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. These students are helping the Society fill a critical need by funding research and patient education and support programs. Every penny really does make a difference."

The Society's School & Youth programs, Pennies for Patients and its sister program, Olive Garden's Pasta for Pennies, and Hop For Leukemia and Lymphoma, are designed to teach children the value of community service in a fun way. Students spent three weeks during the 2006-2007 school year contributing their spare change and participating in other special fundraising events, such as bake sales and talent show competitions. Winning classes receive a free pizza party, or in the case of Pasta for Pennies, a free lunch courtesy of The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Top schools in each area win great prizes like gift cards and electronics. Since its inception, School & Youth Programs have raised more than $100 million.

Registering for the Society's School & Youth Programs is fast and easy at http://www.schoolandyouth.org/. Teachers, parents and school administrators may also call their local Society chapter for more information.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.lls.org/ or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

  Contact: Andrea Greif
  914.941.0237
  andrea.greif@lls.org