In 1962 the most common form of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was curable 4 percent of the time.

All seemed hopeless for the afflicted children and their families. Today, the cure rate is at 90 percent thanks to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

I recently was made aware of a fun way for students to flex their math muscles while simultaneously acting charitably. St. Jude's just received a whopping $3,200 from 48 Southern Cayuga Middle School students. Math department coordinator Jennifer Tonzi led students into their second year of fund-raising with a program called Math-A-Thon.

In its first year, 2005, 27 students raised $1,850. In 2006, 48 students raised $3,200 and they've set their sights in 2007 on a goal of 86 participants raising $5,760.

The St. Jude Math-A-Thon program stretches across the entire country with the participation of thousands of schools. Here's how it works: kids work out math problems provided by St. Jude's and seek sponsors for their participation.

At least 85 percent of the money raised goes directly to the children and researchers at St. Jude's. If you're interested and wish more information for your math class, call (800) 457-2444 or go to www.mathathon.org. If you're a teacher seeking to take a personal interest in a well-rounded education for your students, here's the perfect way to help them develop the finer sensibilities. You'll find a wide range of fundraising programs like Bike-A-Thons, House Arrest Heroes, Saddle Up and others.

These programs work in wonderful ways. Yes, they raise money for vital research and provide comfort and services for children with life-threatening diseases, but they also teach the participating students valuable life-lessons like the need for us to reach out to those who are in dire need of our help.

Through Math-A-Thon, students are playing a vital role in providing a future for St. Jude's and offering hope to children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Thanks to Jennifer Tonzi, this wonderful work is happening right here in our own backyard. This is the kind of compassionate spirit that has always been a part of our community. It proves that despite the problems we face, heroes exist doing God's work for the needy and the hurting.

It gives us something to hang onto, hope for the future and provides great role models for our youth and our citizens.

Jennifer Tonzi's math students at Southern Cayuga have also committed “random acts of kindness” by collecting loose change and providing a helping hand to the American Red Cross, the Ronald McDonald House, and others.

Way to go, guys! May we all follow your example of selfless service to the less fortunate members of our community.

Ducayne's column appears

Tuesdays in The Citizen and

she can be reached at

sacredheart6005@hotmail.com