Julia Kim

Staff Writer

E Pluribus Unum. “Out of many, one.” If you have ever taken a close look at the new pennies, you would find this phrase on the back. These pennies have been everywhere at school now for the past two weeks.

The Pennies for Patients campaign at Coppell High School has wrapped up this week. The fundraiser began the week of Feb. 28 and is a School & Youth Project benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This organization is dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and the change contributes to blood cancer research around the world. The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club has brought this and change to the school.

“Through Pennies for Patients, HOSA hopes to collect any spare change that students are carrying to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” senior and HOSA secretary Audrey Eichenberger said. “It’s a special cause to donate to because opportunities like this only come every now and then.”

Pennies – and larger change – was collected during the fourth period classes. The class that gathered the most money will enjoy a pasta party courtesy of Olive Garden. The winning class will be announced on March 21 with the lunch following soon after.

“Although change does not seem like a large contribution to the cause, it goes a long way,” Eichenberger said. “Because our school has so many students, any donation by a large number would provide for a substantial fund while we hope for an effective cure to the deadly cancer.”

HOSA also placed donation cans at local restaurants and businesses including Cici’s Pizza, Starbucks, Palio’s Pizza Café, Coppell Taekwondo America, Straw Hat Pizza and Subway. The cans will be there for two more weeks, so future donations can be conveniently done at those locations.

“Even within just our school and community, there are those who are affected with these cancers,” senior and HOSA treasurer Sydney Kapp said. “This is our chance to come together to raise money to better their lives and futures, as well as the lives and futures of others.”

Pennies for Patients began last year when graduate and former HOSA secretary Shaylee Zaugg suggested the fundraiser.

“One of our past HOSA officers had to help her mom fight cancer,” senior and HOSA president Janice Kim said. “[Zaugg] is the one that started the whole thing at the high school.”

In 2003, Zaugg’s mother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and has been through chemotherapy, radiation and even a stem cell transplant.

Last year, the fundraiser was held during the fall semester and raised more than $2000. IB Spanish and AP Literature teacher Patrick Melville won the fourth period competition last year. The class alone raised $332.80 and enjoyed the lunch.

“I feel good about being able to make this difference in our community since I know some people that have battled cancer,” Kim said. “Even though it’s a donation to support blood cancer patients and research, it feels like I’m fighting against the disease in general.”

Out of many, each one is making a huge difference. This is true for both the students and pennies as the Pennies for Patients campaign locally comes to a close.