AUSTIN, Texas - For the third consecutive year, the Concordia University Texas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee joined every Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) group in the American Southwest Conference for “Make a Change in 14 Days,” a service project collecting loose coins to raise funds for a local charitable organization. 

Concordia University Athletics has joined forces with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the last two years through volunteer efforts with Light the Night, a unique evening walk which is held each year to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. The Tornados have expanded efforts with a $728.34 donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

During the men's basketball contest versus Howard Payne University on Feb. 19, the Leukemia and Lymphoma President of the Board of Trustees, Kevin Phillips, accepted Concordia's donation. Phillips is also a blood cancer survivor. 

“It is an honor to accept Concordia's Make a Change in 14 Days donation and a privilege for us at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to work with the Concordia Athletic Programs,” Phillips said. “They have been so supportive of our cause.” 

SAACs from the 15 American Southwest Conference campuses combined to raise a record $8,761.14 for local community organizations in the third annual “Make a Change in 14 Days.” 

In the three years of the conference-wide community service campaign, nearly $20,000 has been raised to benefit 31 different charitable organizations in ASC campus communities. The 2009 total bettered last year's record by $622.26. 

For more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society go to www.lls.org