‘Pennies For Patients’ Program To Expand Throughout Community

By Larissa Lytwyn

Ginny Chion has turned her grief into the loss of her 17-year-old son Greg from leukemia in 2000 into an ongoing fight to cure the disease, one that can strike any age group, gender, and race.

Last year she rallied schools to raise money for the Fairfield County chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America (LSA) through a districtwide penny drive; this year she is taking the cause communitywide.

She also established a scholarship fund in her son’s memory.

The Fairfield County chapter of the LSA is striving to increase awareness in its lower communities, Ms Chion explained.

She is also focusing on supporting a 5-year-old Hawley Elementary School student’s battle with leukemia.

Initially, her ongoing fatigue, fever, weakness, tendency to bruise, and other symptoms were attributed to viral infections.

After a blood test, however, she was diagnosed with leukemia. She was 2 years old.

Though the child is currently in remission after more than two years of intense chemotherapy, the illness can resurface at any time.

Ms Chion is dedicated to helping her campaign’s “Honored Patient.” She emphasized the importance of recognizing the symptoms of leukemia and other blood-related cancers.

“This fall we are going to be having a ‘Light the Night’ walk to raise money for cancer patients,” she said.

In the meantime, schools are beginning their penny drive anew. This time, they plan to expand the drive to local businesses while appealing to local enterprises and politicians for support.

The money will benefit the 5-year-old Hawley student as well as the LSA.

One of the student groups driving the effort is Newtown Middle School’s Interact Club, a Newtown Rotary sponsored community service organization.

Members plan to write to local congressional and legislative representatives to garner support for Ms Chion’s efforts.

“I think [the campaign] is a wonderful way to raise awareness,” said Newtown Middle School teacher Judy Cantonese, an Interact Club advisor.

Technology teacher and Interact Club advisor Don Ramsey agreed. “We have to do all we can to help,” he said.

For more information, visit the LSA website at www.leukemia.org.