HOPE. It is defined as ‘the feeling of
what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; to want
something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.’ Hope
is optimism; it is positive energy that things will work out for the best. For
children and families dealing with childhood cancer it is hope that keeps them
moving forward. And it is hope that gives them strength and courage.
In the spring
of 2014 some of our students were looking for a way to support and stand with
fellow students and members of our community who have been impacted by
childhood cancer. We have had a number
of students who are childhood cancer survivors, and unfortunately we have lost
some members of our community to childhood cancer. The students that I spoke to were well informed,
passionate and determined to make a difference. Needless to say they were
incredibly inspiring. The piece of information that continues to stand out the
most for me is that in the United States, more children die of childhood cancer
than any other disease. And yet, all types of childhood cancer receive only 4%
of the U.S. federal funding for cancer research. That conversation in 2014 became
an idea and that idea has now become an event. Through our efforts as a school
community we are hosting our 3rd Annual St. Baldrick’s Event at West
Genesee Middle School tomorrow to raise awareness, raise some money and have
some fun all in an effort to help fight childhood cancer.
Our staff,
students and their families have generously made contributions to #TeamWildcat
over the past three years. This year twelve of our staff members and three of
our students have stepped up to grow their hair for the past several months and
will have it shaved off tomorrow. This year we are honoring a beautiful 3 year-old
named Addi who is battling stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. Addi lives in Florida and
members of #TeamWildcat are also part of “Addi’s Army”.
Please
support #TeamWildcat and “Addi’s Army” in any way that you can and help us make
a difference in the lives of children across the country. The day will come
when we will be able to cure all types of cancers. In the meantime, we will
continue to work to raise awareness and help to spread HOPE to not only the children and
families impacted by childhood cancer, but for all of us. It’s all about “The Power of WE!”
Here is
the link to this year’s event: https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/WGMS
Continued Success,
Steve Dunham
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms
Email: sdunham@westgenesee.org
