Every year approximately 53,000 people die from blood cancer in the United States alone. The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is trying to bring down these numbers by holding a fundraising event and encouraging AHS students to donate to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The campaign, named Pennies for Patients, is being held to raise money throughout the entire month of February. The SNHS has a donation table set up inside the cafeteria during all lunches, with boxes that are put out to collect contributions. Contributions can also be collected online at AHS’s Fundraising page.

The SNHS put their own spin on the fundraiser and decided to make it a competition between genders to see who is the most generous. Since this is a challenge against other schools in the state, the winning school with receive a party package which includes free pizza from Domino’s, $200 in Best Buy door prizes and an on-air visit with the radio station HOT 99.5.

“The SNHS penny war campaign is a way to help out the LLS’s cause by getting students involved and donating,” senior secretary of SNHS Jenna Truong said.

If a donation of $2 or more is given, the student will be eligible to win one of many raffle prizes, including an American Express gift card, an iTunes gift card and several others. The SNHS is also presenting A Walk to Remember as their movie night on Feb 18. For each donation of $3 or more, through donations to Pennies for Patients, a ticket for the movie night will be given. Tickets are also sold during all lunches that week for anyone who does not choose to donate.

“This is a great society because the organization is dedicated to fighting blood cancers and all the money raised towards the society will help with blood cancer research,” said Truong.

While attempting to reach their goal of $15,000 by the end of the month, the SNHS plans to have another part of the fundraiser taking place on Feb 22. from 6-8 p.m. at Fuddruckers in another effort to support blood cancer research.

Everyone is encouraged to give what they can, whether it is just the spare change left over from lunch or large amounts given by family and friends.