The Pennies for Patients fundraiser started this year for Downey High School from Feb. 15-March 5. The campaign raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Every year a child is featured as the face of the campaign representative of the money going to a great cause. This year’s child is named Eva.

Eva was diagnosed in the month of October 2007 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia when she was merely four years old. Eva began having headaches and a chronic fever. She was sent home every few days from pre-school for weeks at a time. Eva and her parents went to her pediatrician and an exam revealed that she was ill. She was then taken to Children’s Hospital where was educated and her diagnosis. The doctor told her she had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and a treatment plan was discussed.

Eva is seven years old now and enjoys playing with her little sister, Josie. She loves soccer and watching her favorite soccer player David Beckham play.