The message on the chocolate bar reads: "Two Long Island high school students whose lives have been touched by the devastating effects of breast cancer are hoping to make a difference."

Motivated by both triumph and tragedy, Old Westbury resident Spencer Stier and Jericho resident Lauren Tiffen, both students at Jericho High School, have taken on the battle against breast cancer by starting their own charity. This year, Spencer and Lauren founded Candy for a Cure on the "belief that kids can make a difference by helping others," particularly in the fight against breast cancer and to honor of all the people who have been afflicted with, survived from or succumbed to this tragic disease. Breast cancer not only affects the person diagnosed with the disease, but their friends and entire family, for years to come.

Seeking the support of area companies and individuals, the teens partnered with a Hicksville-based manufacturer of quality chocolates, to produce candy bars exclusively under the "Candy for a Cure" brand name. The manufacturer, who chooses to remain anonymous, is generously assuming all of the manufacturing costs as their commitment to the mission; and all proceeds from selling the chocolate bars will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To date, Candy for a Cure has raised more than $18,000.

For Spencer and Lauren, the devastating effects of cancer hit close to home.

Spencer spent his childhood watching his mother fight and then recover from her 1994 diagnosis of breast cancer. Although his mother is cancer-free today, the fear of this merciless disease and how it could have destroyed his family will always be with him. Spencer now cherishes every day he has with his mother.

Lauren, however, was not so fortunate. In 2004 she lost her grandmother to breast cancer. Lauren was 14 at the time and was stripped of the love and encouragement this vital woman was born to share with others. As a young woman, Lauren has become a source of strength for her brother, younger sister and parents while trying to understand how such a life-shattering cruelty could happen to not only her grandmother and her entire family, but other families as well.

Through Candy for a Cure, Spencer and Lauren hope that others will also help to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer, by submitting an order or donation on behalf of themselves or their company. A donation in any amount or an order for chocolates can be placed by contacting Lauren at 695-9029 or Spencer at 754-6731 or visiting www.candy4acure.com. The chocolates may be ordered in cases of 50 pieces for $100 and all donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Candy for a Cure, c/o Stier-Tiffen, 9 Horseshoe Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568.