Students and staff at Barrhead Elementary School have 32,000 reasons to be proud of themselves.
In only three short weeks, the school has managed to raise more than $32,000 that will go a long way in helping two young girls live life the way they are meant to live life. Cassidy and Jacklyn will now be better equipped to deal with the side effects of the disease that has robbed them of time spent in the classroom – time they should be enjoying spending with their friends and learning.
They are both cystic fibrosis patients, and they spend hours outside of the classroom every week getting the therapy they need to clear their lungs of the thick mucus that is associated with the disease.
What started as a school project fast became a community-wide initiative. Not only did the students and staff at the school take on this project, but many other residents and local businesses jumped on board and made it the overwhelming success that it was.
The timing of this news couldn’t have been more fitting, either. The month of May is knows in Canada as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It is during this time that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Canada makes a special effort to tell inspiring stories about Canadians with cystic fibrosis. The Foundation also highlights how important funding from Cystic Fibrosis Canada works each and every day to make a real difference in the lives of people with cystic fibrosis, and their families.
The work that has been accomplished here in Barrhead can definitely be ranked amongst those success stories. It’s amazing to know the level of support these two young girls received from the entire community. Their peers need to be recognized for taking on this project in a big way. A number of students sold lemonade. Others donated their own money, and for any child, that’s a big gesture.
Cassidy and Jacklyn’s aunt, Bonnie Gauthier, said she is extremely thankful to the entire community. Raising enough money for two vibration vests is something her family would never have been able to do on its own. These new vests will allow both girls to spend time being kids, and that’s what is really at the heart of this matter. No child should have to endure what Cassidy and Jacklyn go through on a daily basis.
Every single person who was involved in this fundraising effort deserves a thank you. It’s your efforts that will ensure these youngsters will be able to spend time doing what kids do best – have fun and have no worries.
