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Watson students collect change for a cause
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Melissa Sahnd (right), the Northern Ohio representative for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visited Watson on Feb. 8 to teach the students the good they will do by raising money through Pennies for Patients. Second-grader Stevie Pateras (far left) has been cancer-free for two years after suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Stevie's dad, George (center) thanked the work of the Leukemia society for the work they do helping kids like Stevie. Pateras' younger brother Michael stood close by.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Leukemia survivor Stevie Pateras (left) helped Leukemia and Lymphoma Society representative Melissa Sahnd (right) explain how chemotherapy helps those suffering from the diseases. Pateras played Captian Chemo, and wearing a red cape, was responsible for taking away bad cancer cells.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Sahnd explained how cancer grows in Leukemia and Lymphoma patients in simpler terms during her visit to Watson on Feb. 8. Sahnd said cancer cells, represented by the black X's, start to block out the good work that red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets do.
By SARAH FOOR
During the week of Feb. 10, the students at Watson Elementary searched their homes for spare change to donate to Pennies for Patients, a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
To give the students some further inspiration to keep collecting, Northern Ohio representative Melissa Sahnd visited the school on Feb. 8 to teach the students more about the society.
Sahnd offered an important question to begin her presentation: “Do you know who you are helping with your change?”
For the students at Watson, that question was easily answered. Second-grader Stevie Pateras has been cancer-free for two years after dealing with acute lymphoblastic leukemia for much of his childhood. Pateras, her dad, George, and little brother, Michael, stood with Sahnd and shared their respect for the work of the society and support of kids like Stevie.
“You may think it’s just pennies, but it makes a big difference in a lot of people’s lives. It made a lot of difference in ours. Keep bringing that change,” urged George Pateras.
Sahnd understood that words like “leukemia” and “lymphoma” might be confusing for the young students at Watson, so she explained the diseases in terms they could understand.
Student helpers held up signs representing the three parts of blood – red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. She explained that when those with leukemia start to grow cancer cells, bad cells get in the way of all the good parts of blood.
For most people with leukemia, chemotherapy helps rid bad cells from the blood. Sahnd draped a cape over Stevie Pateras’ shoulders and he played Captain Chemo, clearing out the bad cells in the blood, complete with pow-pow-pow sound effects.
“Think about it that way. Each coin will help you get rid of those bad cells in the blood of someone suffering from leukemia. You’re helping to fight cancer,” explained Sahnd.