Private School in Conyers, Georgia Gathers Support for Children with Lymphoma & Leukemia

Online, February 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Terri Hill, a teacher at Eastminster School in Conyers, GA was approached by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society about a special fundraising opportunity.

"I felt like this was a wonderful way for all of our students, faculty and family members to help children afflicted with these blood diseases," Terri Hill states.

The "Pennies for Patients" campaign supports children like Samantha. Samantha is an 8th grade student attending JC Booth Middle School in Peachtree City, Georgia. She loves dancing, playing basketball, being in plays, and reading. Her favorite TV show is Cake Boss and she loves the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.

In July of 2010, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma after her doctor discovered a swollen lymph node during a normal yearly check-up. Her treatment included four months of chemotherapy, three weeks of radiation, and lots and lots of pills. She returned to school in January of 2011, and now makes quilts for other cancer patients and hopes to be a Child Life Specialist when she grows up.

Eastminster's campaign began on January 23rd, 2012 with the goal to collect $700.00 in support of several children in Georgia and one in Austin, Texas. Reece Fowler, Eastminster School Math Teacher even agreed to dye his hair blue and gold if the school met their goal. Eastminster School students, faculty, and family members collected spare change and donations and within a three week period, raised $1,538.69.

"My child would come home gathering up all the spare change in the house every day and when she ran out of spare change, she went into her own piggy bank and added more money to what she had collected from us. It was an amazing way to learn to give to those in need, and I love how Eastminster incorporates values with learning," says Allie Young, a parent of an Eastminster School student.

"Samantha is proof that every penny counts and the students, staff and family members of Eastminster School were excited and eager to help," says Roy Alexander, Headmaster of Eastminster School.

Eastminster School provides the highest quality academic education to motivated and disciplined students of any race or religious affiliation from the East Metro Atlanta area, emphasizing every student's social, physical, and spiritual well-being.