The Science National Honor Society (SNHS) held a presentation in the auditorium during Atom Time on Jan. 26 to promote “Pennies for Patients,” a yearly campaign that raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The fundraising events will take place from Feb. 6 through Mar. 2.

“I really hope we meet our goal to raise awareness and of course the $3,000,” SNHS President Jiyeong Park, senior, said. “I will be so happy if we do so.”

Last year, SNHS raised close to $2,000 for this event. This year the fundraising goal is $3,000.

“Please help us out, so we can achieve our goal,” SNHS Co-Sponsor and biology teacher Claudia Lemus said.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an organization that funds research on finding treatments and cures for blood cancers. The presentation began with outlining what leukemia and lymphoma are and the impact the raised funds can make.

“We have come a really long way with the cure rate,” Leah Cutler, Campaign Manager of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said. “In the 1950s, the cure rate for the most common rate of leukemia was 3 percent, but now it is 94 percent. We are not going to stop till we get to 100 percent, and that’s why we need your help.”

Jonathan Faure, a local survivor of acute lymphatic leukemia, was announced as the honored hero for the presentation for the second year running. His struggle with cancer and the process he went through to become fully cured was explained, as he was not able to come and speak for this year’s presentation.

“The presentation was very informative and it was nice to hear about Jonathan and his survival story,” junior Jessica Strong said. “That was the part I enjoyed the most.”

Multiple fundraising events were then presented by SNHS. For the entire month of February, there will be a ‘penny war’ between classes and faculty departments. For students, the penny war will be held during all lunches. Any student who donates $2 or more will be entered in the weekly raffles. The winning class will also receive a prize. For faculty, donation boxes will be placed in the workroom of each department, one in the main office and one in the guidance office. The winning department’s faculty members’ names will be entered in a raffle to win prizes as well.

There will be a Fuddrucker’s night held on Feb. 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Flyers for this event will be handed out at a later time. A movie night will also be held in the auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for “My Sister’s Keeper.” The date is to be determined. A dating event will also take place in the auditorium during Atom Time. This event involves five male seniors and five male juniors being auctioned off. Junior and senior girls will have the opportunity to bid on a guy for a date. There will be a $5 admission fee and the date for this event is to be determined. Lastly, chocolate bars will be sold. More information regarding these events will be announced at a later time.