Cy Falls High School Cheer Raises Money for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
By Destiny Sanchez, Cypress Falls High School (A High School Journalism Network Collaboration)
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Cypress Falls High School cheer team raised approximately $885 by selling t-shirts and accessories. All proceeds were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
As part of its annual philanthropic project, the team is focused on making a positive impact by spreading awareness.
“The goal is to always make more money to donate than the year before,” said Jacqueline Hart, Cypress Falls cheer coach. “Some years are more difficult than others, but we know that St. Jude appreciates anything we are able to send them.”
The team raised the money during the month of September. Students and staff showed their support for the cause by wearing their purchased t-shirts and accessories on Sept. 26 for the campus’ Gold Out Spirit Day following the football game at Tully Stadium.
Approximately 1 in 300 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer. The average age of diagnosis ranges from 6-14 years of age with the most common types of cancer that is found in children being leukemias, brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors and lymphomas.
“I have a friend whose son was diagnosed with cancer last year,” said Jensen Smith, Cypress Falls cheer coach. “Just watching him go through chemo and radiation really opened up my eyes to what a lot of young kids are dealing with.”
The Cypress Falls cheer team contributes to the $2 billion dollars in donations that St. Jude receives each year, ensuring that all patients who are accepted are not billed and receive free care for treatment.
Source: CFISD
