Kaegebein’s kids raise more than $6,200 to help ‘Kick Cancer’

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, June 1, 2007

Even though Brandon Tripi, on crutches, and his friends couldn’t participate in last Friday’s Mini Relay For Life at Kaegebein School, the students, along with teachers Mrs. VanderMey and Mr. Curtis, threw their hearts and their pompoms into cheering on those who did take part. (photo by Fred Claus)

It’s a sign of what can be done with inspiration and willpower.

In a Mini Relay For Life that involved grades 2 through 5 at Kaegebein Elementary School, students raised an impressive $6,200, and they are still bringing in money. The funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society to help in the battle against the dreaded disease.

On Friday, May 25, the school’s chorus sang “Everyday Heroes,” as a way to honor all those who have fought cancer. During the day, various classes of students went outside and walked three laps around the front of the school. This was in fulfillment of a pledge they made when they collected donations for the American Cancer Society. Second-grade teacher Cyndi Booker, who was in charge of the Mini Relay For Life, lost one of her cousins to cancer.

Island First with Mini Relay

Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, co-chairman of the upcoming Relay For Life at Grand Island High School on June 8, was there last Friday to support the students’ efforts. “It is very precious that every dollar sacrificed goes for something for the American Cancer Society – whether it be education, patient services, rides to a doctor’s appointment or a wig for someone who is undergoing treatment. Research, obviously, is at the top.”

She went on to praise Booker. “This year the American Cancer Society introduced Mini Relay kits for the elementary schools to get involved. She is the only one in Western New York who actually did anything about it,” Daluisio said.

“We are very proud that Grand Island is the only one. It is as it should be – we are leaders in everything.”

Daluisio pointed out the whole school helped to raise money. “They have been making bracelets. They had change collection competitions amongst the classrooms.”

One second-grader, Elizabeth Houser, spent $10 to buy five bracelets for herself and five for her sister. To top it off, she even donated a few extra dollars to help the American Cancer Society. Kaegebein students also designed T-shirts and sold them for $5 each. The front of the shirt mentions the Relay and has the words, “Kaegebein Kids Can Kick Cancer.”

Cancer Prevention Stressed

Jane Dent, a community executive with the American Cancer Society who was on hand for the Mini Relay For Life, noted that the shirts also show “four basic safety issues to convey to kids” the ways in which a person can prevent cancer. “These are healthy eating, exercise, sun safety, and (being) tobacco-free,” Dent said. She passed on the Mini Relay kits to Daluisio, who then passed them on to the elementary schools. “The kit actually had handouts for the teachers and a CD with letters to parents and administrators and certificates for the kids. It was a great kit,” Dent observed.

In another activity, the teachers brought in their baby photos for a contest in which students put money into cans in support of their favorite photo. Once determined, the winning teacher will have the dubious honor of wearing a baby bib all day long. Daluisio said students also raised funds by paying a dollar on May 15 to wear either sunglasses or a hat in representation of UV protection.

Daluisio then offered up some sobering statistics: “Unfortunately, cancer affects three out of four families, so that many of these kids, even though they are so young, know what cancer is. We aim to prevent cancer in the first place, not just raise money. ... Two-thirds of all cancers are preventable.”

“There are some 10,000 children in the U.S. who get diagnosed a year,” she added.

Students Show Dedication

Dawn Zacher was one of the mothers who volunteered to help on the Mini Relay. Her daughter, Sophia, is in second grade at Kaegebein. Along with two friends, she raised about $30 at a lemonade stand they manned together. “They’re learning at an early age,” Dent said.

Dawn noted that the girls excitedly ask each year if they can come to the Grand Island Relay for Life. “The kids love it,” she said.

The town of Grand Island announced earlier it would issue certificates of achievement to the individual and the class who raised the most money. According to Booker, the winning class is Carilyn Chauby’s fourth graders. “She really knows how to get the school spirit going,” Booker said. As of May 25, these students had raised a total of $813.64.

The winning individual is Alexa Mallare, who is in Booker’s second-grade class and brought in a total of $271. She sold Relay T-shirts, luminaria and even set up a lemonade stand to raise funds to fight cancer.

Letters of recognition will be given to the other students. “I want to be able to give them something to show how proud we are of them,” Booker said, adding, “These children are so wonderful, helpful, kind, and supportive.”

After the Kaegebein students completed their laps on May 25, they took aim at shooting basketballs in the gym. For every basket they made, they received a ticket. Children with the most tickets were awarded prizes donated by Donna Tomkins, including pens, visors, thermoses, and $10 gift cards from Wal-mart. Tomkins is the corporate sponsor chairman for the Grand Island Relay For Life. She is the daughter of the late Alan Elia, who owned Sevenson Environmental Services Inc. Elia lost his battle with cancer. Tomkins is employed at Sevenson.

Broaching a Tough Subject

“I think we’ve looked at cancer as a taboo subject for children,” Booker said. You (need) to have some sensitivity and empower them. We’re better off meeting that head on in an appropriate forum with teachers who know how to teach and to show them.”

Booker was very glad that there was so much support of Kaegebein’s Mini Relay for Life. Daluiso said, “I am so proud of this school and this Island.” Booker added: “It’s our piece of heaven.”