Public schools raise over $19,000 for Cancer

Rainy River District School Board students and staff raise over $19,000 for cancer research
Rainy River District School Board students and staff raised an outstanding $19,076.21 in support of cancer research during the week of the National Terry Fox School Run Day, which was held on September 28, 2011.
Every school within the Board was encouraged to participate in what was expected to be the largest fundraising event in Canada, and schools used a variety of ways to raise funds for this important cause. In addition to money raised through pledges, schools collected donations through the Coins for Cancer program, a penny drive, and a memory wall during the week leading up to the school run/walk day. J.W. Walker School’s principal and 4 teachers issued a challenge in which they would shave their heads if the students raised $4,000 for cancer research. With a school total of $5,500, the students surpassed their goal and Principal, Bill Daley along with teachers Mr. Ogden, Mr. Hill, Mr. Oster, and Mr. Thomson kept up their end of the bargain and said good-bye to their hair at an assembly in the school’s gymnasium.
“The Board is thrilled by the work of staff, students, and communities in supporting this worthy cause,” said Superintendent of Education, Casey Slack. “In addition to being a practical way to encourage physical activity, this event is a hands-on learning experience to teach children about citizenship and about being caring, contributing members of society.”
The Terry Fox Run was born out of a desire by Terry Fox to help ease the suffering experienced by cancer patients, and to find a cure for this disease. On September 13, 1981, the first Terry Fox Run was held at more than 760 sites across Canada and around the world; 300,000 participants raised $3.5 million dollars. The initial desire and effort that Terry Fox put forward has resulted in more than $550 million raised in support of cancer research.
Every year, Rainy River District School Board students and staff join with millions of people from around the world to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run; an event that supports Terry’s goal to find a cure for cancer.