Washington Elementary Students “Whip” Away Cancer

Washington Elementary observed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by joining the Whip Pediatric Cancer’s “Heart of Gold” campaign. This campaign was started over a year ago to help raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Close to 16,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer each year. The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivor-ship issues, and – most importantly – to help raise funds for research and family support.
The event was organized by school counselor Kim Marano and secretary Mrs. Laura Finnerty with the assistance of AAP teachers Mrs. Dimakos and Ms. Mason. This event is the school’s first “Youth in Philanthropy” cause for the 2016 – 2017 school year. The school participated in this event from Thursday, September 22nd to Thursday, September 29th. Students received gold paper hearts to decorate which were displayed on the walls of the school’s auditorium. Students and staff were asked to donate and together they met their goal and raised $1,000! They are planning to donate $750 to the Whip Pediatric Cancer Campaign which benefits the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (pediatric division). In addition, they are sending $250 to the Team Campbell Foundation which is named after a brave warrior named Campbell Grace Hoyt. Campbell passed away two years ago at the age of 8, after a 5-year battle with Ependymoma. She is the niece of Mark Hoyt, current principal at Battle Hill Elementary, who remains a special part of the Washington School Family.
On Thursday, September 29th the “Heart of Gold” campaign was concluded with an assembly celebrating the schools participation in making a difference.
Staff and students gathered outside excitedly to release blue and gold balloons (gold is the color for pediatric cancer awareness month and blue represents the school) in honor of the cause. Before releasing the balloons, Principal Thomas Matthews spoke to students about the importance of being charitable and helping those in need, he also restated the cause of the campaign to the students and stated how proud he is of them for taking part.
Students listened attentively, but the excitement for the balloon release was apparent. Students cheered and danced as the balloons were released and the “Whip and Nae Nae” song played on the loud speakers!
To learn more about the Whip Pediatric Cancer Campaign, please visit http://whippediatriccancer.org/. To learn more about Team Campbell Foundation please visit http://www.teamcampbellfoundation.org/.