It is estimated that there will be 28,700 new cases of leukemia in the U.S. this year. Approximately one in every four children from ages 1 - 14 will develop leukemia and some 21,600 persons will die from leukemia in the year. Leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) of the bone marrow and blood. There are four major types but basically it is when the marrow of the bone can no longer produce enough normal red and white blood cells and platelets. The overall five-year survival rate for patients is 42%.
In November, the Leukemia Society of America sent Eisenhower High School's ASB director, Mr. Daniel Rentz, information about a pennies for patients penny drive to raise money for leukemia patients. Mr. Rentz turned the task over to his community service committee. We responded right away because we were so excited about helping, especially after reading about how much money other schools have raised. The penny drive ran from January 31, 2000 through February 18, 2000. Every Wednesday and Friday ASB members picked up and exchanged the buckets of money so they could be counted. It was a lot of work, but there were never any complaints. To motivate the students to participate, a pizza party was offered to the class that raised the most money per student in the class. After only two days of people dropping their change into our buckets, we raised over $300.00 dollars. All of the administrators, counselors, and teachers were involved. Mr. Ron Miller remarked that "It is exciting that ASB is going beyond themselves."
One of the most compelling stories that arose during the penny drive was the generosity of the San Bernardino County School Students, who share the campus with Eisenhower. Although Ms. Gilbreath's class of only 7 students earned the most money of all, the county students came in second and raised a remarkable amount of money. $260.28 from only 20 students. In spite of all the trials they face themselves, they found a way to care for others. Their teachers Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Kounas said they talked to the kids about Leukemia patients and they felt they could relate to them. "The students really like to be involved in any school activity. Any chance to participate and be accepted excites them," said Mrs. Kounas. "The students would pull out their zip-lock bags every morning even if it only had one penny inside. When I asked them why they gave the money, they exclaimed with such great enthusiasm, 'PIZZA!'"
Also, coincidentally a young girl named Heather Guinn, who graduated last year from Eisenhower, just recently died from Leukemia. Being able to raise money to help others like Heather has inspired us all.
In the end, Eisenhower raised $1,804.95. The whole program has really built a lot of school spirit for Eisenhower drawing the students and staff members closer together in this unselfish act.