It’s nice to think that if you collect plastic bottle caps that some child battling cancer would receive a free session of chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, according to a recent Scranton Times article and other sources, it’s a hoax that has hit northeastern Pennsylvania.
According to the Scranton Times, the idea of collecting bottle caps picked up steam in the Scranton area after the newspaper reported how two students were collecting caps to help children with cancer. That sparked a local nun to start a drive through area schools and a college.
The American Cancer Society says that hoax began in 2008 and is not legitimate. ACS spokeswoman Angela Showell was quoted as saying “It is a hoax, unfortunately; no money comes to us in exchange for bottle caps.”
The hoax is reported on both the American Cancer Society website as well as at Snopes.
For information on how you can help cancer victims, contact your local office of the American Cancer Society.