Girl collects money for cancer patient

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - When Lexi Mallard heard about Jasmine Subia losing her leg to cancer, she decided to take matters into her own hands and help raise money for Subia's family. The school united and gathered more than $5,300.

Mallard, who consistently donates to charities, heard about Subia, a ninth-grader at Cedar Park High School.

"[Lexi] thought, 'Maybe I could challenge some of my peers out here to see if we can raise money for this family," said Dick Ellis, Leander ISD communications director.

So, Mallard sprung into action.

"[Lexi] put boxes out and went from classroom to classroom and talked to teachers, staff and all the students," said Ellis. "Obviously, she came up with a good pot of cash."

A lot of people got together to make this possible.

"We kind of bugged the students to donate," said Mallard. "I really wanted to help someone in our environment. It just kind of came to me that she needed help. In the past week, we raised $1,000 alone in coins. The student body was really generous. A freshman dropped in a $50. It's crazy how people can really have the drive to help."

Mallard had not met Subia until the day of the presentation of money on Friday. She had heard about Subia through teachers at her school.

"On behalf of Cedar Park High School, we're making a large donation of $5,362.08 [to you], so Merry Christmas," Mallard said as she handed the check to Subia.

Subia could barely comprehend the donation.

"It's just a really good feeling," said Subia as her eyes teared up. "Because a lot of people that I don't really know that well, they got together and did a good thing. It's kind of hard to explain right now. I was really shocked."

Subia found out in August 2006 that she had cancer.

"At the very beginning, it was really hard, because I had to do chemo, and then I had to lose my hair, like, three times," said Subia. "I made that decision [to lose my leg.]"

The students were proud of their accomplishment.