“Cancer touches so many of our friends and family,” shares Principal Cristina Cox. “It was so meaningful for the girls..
As our community comes together during these unprecented times, the Lakeridge Health Foundation reached out to Cristina Cox, principal of Seneca Public School. This year, students from Seneca Public School once again raised funds supporting our Oshawa Hospital in memory of both two teachers who passed away from cancer. As Cristina shares the community spirit that drove these incredible fundraising efforts by the young people at their school, we see that same resilient, compassionate spirit echoed in the efforts our entire Durham Region are showing now in support of our local health care.
Cristina begins by lauding the efforts of the young girls who lead the drive for their annual fundraiser: Madisen, Jenna, Madison, Hailey, and Cameron.
After the passing of their beloved teacher, Lisa Ducharme, who taught grade two at Seneca Public School, the students came together to hold a scarf day in her memory, with all donations gathered going directly towards cancer care services offered at Lakeridge Health’s Cancer Centre at the Oshawa Hospital.
In 2019, the group expanded their fundraising efforts with a bake sale to once again remember Ms. Ducharme, and to pay tribute to another teacher who passed away in Spring 2019-Ms. Kim Clausen.
“Cancer touches so many of our friends and family,” shares Principal Cristina Cox. “It was so meaningful for the girls to go to Lakeridge Health last year. There they were able to see the radiation machines that are used during some treatments, and they were able to see what chemotherapy looks like. They learned a lot about treatment and the importance of donating to our Hospital. To me, I see our future activists, nurses, doctors and Foundation employees in their actions today.”
For Cristina, as a parent and educator, it was moving to see her students become so engaged with something that affected their entire school community. She recalls what it was like going through the Cancer Centre with her students, and especially a special message she received after their tour with Lakeridge Health Foundation was over.
“When we went through to visit the cancer centre, Kim Clausen was still receiving treatments. She had seen us go through the centre and she messaged me after we had left to tell me how much it meant to her that we were supporting our local Cancer Centre. She told me how proud she was of our students.”
Today we applaud the efforts of these young activists in supporting our Durham Region community. Especially now as we truly see how important both our community connections are, and our local health care, we are grateful for educators like Cristina Cox, and for engaged young people like Madisen, Jenna, Madison, Hailey, and Cameron.
If you too would like to support our Hospitals now, when we need them more than ever, please donate at www.durhamfightscovid19.ca
