Benefit set for young leukemia patient

A raffle for a new computer and other items is being held Friday, March 3, 6 to 9 p.m. at Belle Sherman Elementary School to benefit leukemia patient Mya Thompson, the 10-year-old daughter of Michelle and Kevin Thompson.

Michelle Thompson is a doctoral student and teaching instructor in city and regional planning in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Kevin Thompson, who is coach of the Ithaca Youth Track Club, left a position in environmental health and safety at Cornell to spend more time caring for Mya after she was diagnosed with the illness in February 1999. Both Michelle and Kevin earned their MRP degrees at Cornell.

While Mya's treatment is progressing well, the costs associated with it are exorbitant and are not fully covered by the Thompson family's health insurance, taxing their resources tremendously. The benefit, organized by friends and family, will enable the larger community to offer its support.

A local business has donated a new computer and free installation as one of the raffled items. Other donated items include a month-long pass at Courtside Racquet and Fitness Club and gift certificates to Ludgate Farms and Ben and Jerry's. In addition to the raffle, whose proceeds will go toward Mya's treatments, the March 3 benefit will feature food, dancing and a DJ. Raffle tickets are $1. Contact: Michelle Thompson, 272-0191,mmt7@cornell.edu; Linda Gamble, 266-8669; Tonia Clate, 767-0178; Kieran Killeen, 277-2567, kmk25@cornell. edu; or visit the web site http://www.crp.cornell.edu /students/mmt7/mya/ for information.

Contributions also may be made to a special account at the Cornell Federal Credit Union. Or make checks payable to Mya Thompson and send them to the Thompson family, 11-B Strawberry Hill Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850.