JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It all started with an enthusiastic call from Robert E. Lee High School's Yashica Fowler. She said her students at Lee -- with the backing of Principal Scott Schneider -- wanted to help raise funds for the Buddy Bus, a mobile mammography unit for six local counties.
Turns out one student in particular, Ralph Anntonio Mency, has a special passion for the fight against breast cancer.
"My grandma actually died of breast cancer," Mency explains. He told an auditorium packed with Lee students that his own name, 'Anntonio," is spelled with two "n's" in honor of his Grandma Ann. As he spoke, a collective and respectful "ahhh" went out among the students.
Fowler's leadership students organized a fundraiser, which inspired enough participation to raise $500.
Principal Schneider complimented the strong efforts and announced the school's partner, The District Church, had matched the $500, making Lee's total donation $1000.
So hats off to Lee High School in Jacksonville for helping us save lives.
The Buddy Bus is our mission with Baptist/MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The goal is to raise a million dollars to purchase the bus in 2019. So far donations total $434,842.
If you'd like to donate, click here.
If your group would like to help and be recognized on TV, email Jeannie Blaylock. Her email is jblaylock@firstcoastnews.com