DHS School Chest Makes LUNGevity Its Cause

LUNGevity, a charity with deep Deerfield roots founded to battle lung cancer will be the beneficiary of the Deerfield High School School Chest fundraising efforts, according to a news release from the school.

“We made community a central focus when evaluating charities for School Chest,” event co-chair Samantha Gottstein said. “LUNGevity surpassed our hopes of selecting a beneficiary that students, teachers, families and friends could feel connected to.” Her partner leading the event is Graham Ambrose.

The organization was founded 12 years ago by seven lung cancer patients including Deerfield High School graduate Gayle Levy and a young Deerfield mother, Melissa Zagon.

Deerfield residents and LUNGevity activists Sue Bersh and Jill Feldman of Deerfield were thrilled with the school’s selection. The organization held a race at Adams Field last spring to raise money.

“As a lung cancer patient and Deerfield mom of four, I continue to be overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of community support for this cause and feel that support from teenagers is what gives me hope,” Feldman said.

School Chest has raised between $87,000 and $98,000 in past years. Starting with an all school assembly Nov. 28 beginning the three-week campaign, there will be a 5K race at 9 a.m. Dec. 1 at Deerfield High School. The next day there will be dinner and silent auction at the Hyatt Deerfield.

Two other events include DHS Idol on Dec. 6 and Mr. DHS Dec. 10. Both happenings will be at the school.

There will also be a Mah Jongg night for the community from 6:30 to p.m. Dec. 12 at the high school. Players will take part for a $20 donation.

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