St. Frances de Chantal hosts walk for cancer research

St. Frances de Chantal hosts walk for cancer research

Despite the cold weather, students at St. Frances de Chantal School braved the temperature in a walk-a-thon to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

Students from pre-k through eighth grade marched outside of the school’s grounds, getting an index card stamped each time they circled the block, to raise money for those suffering from all types of cancer, on Friday, October 23.

Parents, friends, baby-sitters and neighbors agreed to donate funds based on how many times each of the youngsters completed the block, or on a flat-rate amount, for finding a cure for cancer.

The school holds several fundraisers a year. Principal Debra Trignani said that the school hopes to raise over $1,000 for cancer research between the walk and a Yankees dress-down day held on October 23, where the students each chipped in $2 to wear their Yankee gear, supporting the hometown team in the playoffs.

“As part of this project, some of the students have done research on cancer and the different cancer societies that help people afflicted with the disease,” Trignani said. “Many of the students have made signs dedicated to relatives, friends, and others who have passed away due to cancer. They carry the signs as they march around the block.”

The money raised from the walk and dress down day will go to three different charities helping cancer survivors and promoting cancer research – St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and Susan G. Koman for the Cure, a group committed to fighting breast cancer.

“We want to teach the children the importance of helping others with this exercise,” said Vickie Golasso, a 6th grade homeroom teacher who helped put the event together. “Not only are we concerned about academics at our school, but we also want to make sure that our children learn to become good Christians.”

The walk, which put the kids to work in the service of others, fits in well with the mission of the school, according to the principal.

“It certainly promotes what St. Jane Frances always said about learning to live Jesus, and these children are certainly doing that by helping others,” Trignani said. “We are thinking of holding another fundraiser this spring – a math-a-thon for a children’s hospital”