Balboa Elementary School’s fundraising campaign that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society recently reached $20,641, making the donation total for a school No. 1 in the Greater Los Angeles area and No. 3 in the nation.
Leukemia is the No. 1 most diagnosed form of childhood cancer, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest nonprofit fighting blood cancer and is working to change this statistic through its Dare To Dream Children’s Initiative, which seeks to accelerate treatments with fewer harmful side effects so that young patients not only survive but thrive.
Balboa Elementary’s $20,641 donation will have a real impact on blood cancer patients. For example, these funds can provide financial assistance to 200 pediatric blood cancer patient families in active treatment; pay for at least three LLS Blood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Awards to cover tuition for vocational, trade, or undergraduate education for one year; and go toward advocacy so LLS can urge Congress to take action to address the needs of blood cancer patients, which often impact other cancer patients as well.
The school would like to be No. 1 in the nation, beating out 750 other participating schools. To achieve this goal, they are asking the Glendale community to consider donating so they can raise an additional $8,000. To donate, visit pages.lls.org/ltn/calso/LAWALK23/BalboaES23.
On Friday, April 19, Balboa Elementary will celebrate the successful fundraising effort.
More than 800 students and 40 staff members are expected to be present at the celebration, with Superintendent Darneika Watson as a special guest.
First published in the April 13 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
