MASON, Ohio — Pennies, nickels and dimes are on the minds of the students at Mason Middle School as they’re raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
One of the students helping raise money is seventh-grader Maya Collins. The coin drive has personal significance for her: She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia four years ago.
She, along with classmate Ben Terribilini, also battling blood cancer, were featured in a video to help motivate students and community members to raise money for the cause. Their teacher, Lauren Richardson, produced the video for her students.
“I would probably describe (the disease) as hard,” Maya said. “But everything will be OK because you can get rid of it, and it will be OK.”
Richardson screened the video today, in anticipation of one final fundraising push this weekend.
“Last year when we started ‘Pennies for Patients,’ we really weren’t sure what the school was capable of in the past,” Richardson said. “We raised $3,000-4,000. The school record was $11,000 and last year we broke it.”
Now, Richardson’s class is aiming for $15,000.
