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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society names The Sallie Mae Fund a ‘Titan of Community Service’

Fund’s grant will help children reintegrate into school after cancer treatment

RESTON, Va., March 19, 2004—The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will name The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, a Titan of Community Service at its 17th annual Leukemia Ball in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 20.

In addition, as part of an ongoing effort to promote academic achievement, The Sallie Mae Fund, has awarded a $75,000 educational grant to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The grant will enable the Society to provide services nationwide through its Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer. The program helps integrate children back into the classroom after undergoing cancer treatment and fosters communication among healthcare professionals, parents, young patients and school personnel with the help of videos and informational materials.

“The Sallie Mae Fund’s generous grant will make a meaningful difference in the lives of schoolchildren with cancer and their families all across the country,” said David Timko, executive director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Capital Chapter and a leukemia survivor. “We are very grateful for The Sallie Mae Fund’s support.”

Each year, nearly 3,500 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with leukemia, but due to the level of outreach and education needed by school personnel, it can be difficult for them to return to their classrooms during and after treatment. The Trish Greene Back to School program strives to make the transition between the cancer clinic and classroom more comfortable for young cancer patients, foster academic achievement and help ensure these children are prepared to pursue a higher education.

“As The Sallie Mae Fund fulfills its mission to increase access to higher education, we are proud to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s important program to keep young cancer patients on track for educational achievement,” said Susan Corsini, chair of The Sallie Mae Fund. “We are pleased we can be a part of the Trish Greene Back to School program in its crucial role of ensuring these children are prepared to pursue education beyond high school.”

The Leukemia Ball, which takes place on March 20 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., raised $2.8 million last year to benefit the programs and services of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission—to increase access to a post–secondary education for America's students—by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information visit www.salliemaefund.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $360 million for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 441,000 patient contacts through services provided at its home office and by its 63 chapters nationwide. For more information, visit www.LLS.org.