Carbon Career & Technical Institute students have raised $500 to fight against heart disease.

The fund drive was spearheaded by Kaylee Murphy of Coaldale and Jeanna Struble of Jim Thorpe, both members of HOSA, the student organization for those planning careers in health care.HOSA members sold paper hearts and rubber bracelets for $1 each and red T-shirts with the American Heart Association logo on them. On Feb. 6, students donated $1 each to be able to wear a red shirt.On Feb. 18, the students will present the check to an American Heart Association representative.The fund drive came about when the students needed to do a project for HOSA. After hearing from the American Heart Association, they decided to focus the project on raising $500, Murphy said.Murphy, who plans to become a pediatric nurse, said the project taught her a lot about "working with other people and getting a better understanding of how the heart works."The project was close to her own heart."My uncle needed open heart surgery, and the American Heart Association helped him through the process," she said.The students took their drive beyond the school to local businesses."We wanted to get the whole school involved, and also the community, because heart disease affects everyone," said Struble, who plans to be a pediatric oncology certified nurse.@Quote.News:"We wanted to get the whole school involved, and also the community, because heart disease affects everyone."@Quote.Byline1:Jeanna Struble@Quote.Byline2:JIM THORPE