Today the annual Terry Fox run struck a personal chord for the KCDSB community, particularly for the staff and students at Pope John Paul II School.
With his mother at one side and his teacher, Ms. Dufresne at the other, Grade 6 student James Henry prepared a story that Ms. Dufresne read about his battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
"I got sick in March 2014. I was eight years old. It felt like endless pain; I just wanted to sleep. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. I felt like I was dying. On July 26, 2014, I was diagnosed with cancer. The chemo and medicine made me feel dizzy, sick and very scared. I didn't like it. I wanted it to stop. The doctors told me that I would die if I didn't take my medicine. I wanted to live so I stopped fighting the doctors. The chemo changed my body. It felt like I was 80 years old in an eight year old's body. I was sore, weak and sick all the time. I couldn't do anything. It has been three years now since I started treatment and I am considered cancer free. On October 3rd, in 5 days, I will be done my cancer treatment. No more needles, no more pills. I will be free. I did it. I beat cancer!"
James' story was followed by tears of joy, applause and cheering from the entire gym, as James was presented with his red, Terry Fox Foundation cancer survivor t-shirt.
Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education, talks about why the KCDSB continues to raise money for cancer research. "When our students and staff are raising money and participating in the annual Terry Fox Run it's personal for us, as it is for so many people. We are thinking about the people in our own lives and our KCDSB community who have been touched by cancer. We are thinking about James Henry surviving cancer, and we are proud to celebrate him being cancer free. We are thinking about Chloe Poirier a Grade 8 student at St. Thomas Aquinas High School who is living with cancer every day and has been in our community since junior kindergarten. We've watched her grow up. Chloe continues to inspire us with her strength of spirit. For Chloe just coming to school and feeling good is an achievement for her, that so many of us take for granted. We are thinking about Richelle Giasson a student who passed away from cancer in 2009 but continues to be remembered by students with a huge sign in our local skate park. And we are thinking about our staff members who are currently fighting the disease and those who have lost their battle."
Teacher, Suzanne Gaudry from St. Thomas Aquinas High School started the Terry Fox Run initiative for the high school in 2000, and since then all the schools within the board have been participating in the annual Terry Fox Run. The Kenora Catholic District School Board recently surpassed the $100,000 mark in donations for the Terry Fox Foundation, collectively raising $105,580.61 for cancer research. Sadly, Suzanne passed away after a short battle with cancer 12 years ago, but the initiative that she started continues to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation to find a cure for cancer.
Throughout the week schools within the KCDSB participated in the annual Terry Fox Run with various activities and challenges.
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Students and staff from Pope John Paul II School and École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys gathered in the gym at PJPII School for a joint Terry Fox Run event where they celebrated James Henry being cancer-free.
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Students from PJP II and SMB participated in an annual Terry Fox Run today around round lake.
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Students from SMB stop for a picture while on their Terry Fox Run.
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This is a group of students from both SMB and PJP II School
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Students are proud of surpassing the $100,000 mark in donations raised for the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research.
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Richelle Giasson's memory continues to be remembered at the local Skate Park. There is a sign displayed that says We Love Richelle. Impossible to Forget. Still Going Strong.
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Students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School participated in their school's Terry Fox Run today.
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Students at St. John School participated in a Terry Fox rally at Centennial Park. Their goal was to celebrate Terry's courage and drive by studying his quote "anything is possible if you try." Thank you for keeping the drive alive SJS.
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