One Little Penny...One Big Difference

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In a program that gives kids a
chance to help other kids, students at Oak Point Intermediate School in Eden
Prairie, MN, raised an incredible $42,858.24 through Pennies for Patients, one
of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School & Youth Programs.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090518/NY18617 )

This was $20,000 more than the school raised last year. The money will help
fund LLS's research and patient services initiatives.

Oak Point was not the only school across the country to have an extremely
successful campaign. The other four top fundraising schools were: Princeton
High School in Cincinnati, Ohio($38,378); Mt. Pisgah Christian School in Johns
Creek, Ga. ($32,830); Chaska Middle School West in Chaska, MN($29,240.58); and
Orange High School in Orange, Calif.($28,000).

"It is so inspiring to see the enthusiasm students bring to this program,"
said Kristy Lysik, LLS's national director, School & Youth Programs. "Pennies
for Patients and the other School & Youth Programs are all about teaching
children the value of community service, and the students see that their
participation really makes a difference to people who are touched by blood
cancers."

Nationally, 25,000 schools registered in the program for the 2008-09 school
year, and LLS is projecting results of more than $19 million raised.

Oak Point had special inspiration this year that gave the students an extra
incentive: One of their teachers, Mona Hanson, was diagnosed with lymphoma
last December.

"The staff and students really stepped up for her," said Oak Point teacher
Mark Wavinak, the Pennies coordinator. The school was also visited by
Minnesota Vikings football player Kenechi Udeze, who is a leukemia survivor.
Another teacher lost her mother to lymphoma this year. Wavinak credits all the
teachers and the whole community with helping to motivate the students.

In addition to the penny drive, Oak Point held a variety of creative
fundraising events. Local restaurants, including Noodles, Fuddruckers and
Domino's Pizza, held special nights where families could eat and have a
portion of their bill donated to the Pennies campaign.

"Pennies for Patients is no longer just a school project but an entire Eden
Prairie community project," said Wavinak. "With the economy the way it is this
year, Eden Prairie showed its generosity and how much they care for others."

To learn more about School & Youth Programs visit www.schoolandyouth.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (R) (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary
health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of
patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around
the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters
throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or
contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.
Andrea Greif
(914) 821-8958
andrea.greif@lls.org

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Andrea Greif, +1-914-821-8958, andrea.greif@lls.org