By Tim Cho
Student Life & Web Editor

In honor of Cancer Awareness Month, two Neshaminy students begun a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Rebecca Choi and Amanda Reiser sold and hung balloons in the Hub before homeroom. Their friend, Julianna Smith, junior at Central Bucks East high school, lived with cancer for three years of her life, and now continues her life, cancer-free.

Smith, now an academically-successful student, active participant in extracurricular activities, and founder of her school’s own club dedicated to cancer, has inspired Choi and Reiser to take initiative.

To honor Smith, Reiser and Choi, “wanted to give back to an organization that gave so much support to my [their] friend Julianna who battled leukemia when she was eight until she was eleven.” Over the course of the fundraiser, they raised over one hundred dollars by the end.

The church they attend honors those who had or currently have cancer by holding an annual evening event, where members of the community carry balloons; red balloons reflect a supporter of those with cancer in their lives, gold is in memory of someone who passed away due to cancer, and white are for survivors.

“Everything happens for a reason, I wouldn’t change anything, it taught me a lot about who I am, all of the support I have, and that god always has a plan even when things look bad. No matter what, you have it better than someone else.”

Leukemia and lymphoma are cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow, requiring donors and transplants. Survivors often live without complications and enjoy a healthful life.

http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/article.htm