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Issue 1, Volume 78 Septemebr 21, 2012 4525 Highway 109
thebugle
One step at a time
monika nayak featurewriter
Individuals combat cancer
Like superheroes out to save the world, EHS works to aid the fight against cancer, a disease that plagues half of all men and one-third of all women in the US during their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. One of these superheroes is Maddi Schaefer (10). After posting on Twitter, “100 retweets I’ll shave my head for cancer research,” Schaefer received 225 retweets within a half hour. Schaefer sported the new haircut during school, Aug. 30. Robbie Dutton, a close family friend of Schaefer, developed cancer in his leg at age 8 and has been battling the disease intermittently for the past two years. In support, Schaefer shaved her head, Aug. 29, and donated her hair to Wigs for Kids, an organization which offers free wigs to children who have lost their hair to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other medical issues. Schaefer started CampaignBC, a Twitter group, which jumpstarted the #beatcancer trend, with Timmy Borroff (11), Aug. 30. @CampaignBC spreads the word about Schaefer’s efforts in cancer awareness. She is working with Mrs. Carolyn Baremore, science teacher, to start fundraising events, such as selling t-shirts. The colors of the shirts will correspond to a type of cancer and will say #BeatCancer on the front. With the help of Borroff and Carolyn Frauenhoffer (10), Schaefer has been able to publicize her efforts by the word of mouth and social networks. All profits will go to St. Jude’s Hospital. “Eureka has the potential to do a lot because we are a big school and a big community,” Schaefer said. “If we all work together, we could make a change.” Students understand the severity of the disease. “Having cancer made me appreciate life and not take things for granted,” Jordan Cole, cancer survivor, said. “Out of nowhere, cancer can affect anyone. There needs to be awareness because you never know when someone will be diagnosed.” Read more about Cole’s fight against
cancer at www.EHS-hub.info. Schaefer met with Dr. Jason Green, activities director, to discuss fundraising ideas, just as several other students have in the past. “We have students here who take up causes all the time,” Dr. Green said. “I think cancer awareness becomes important to people for a couple of reasons. It’s usually something that has impacted their lives in some way.” In the past, the girls volleyball, girls basketball, boys swim and football teams have shown their support by wearing pink for breast cancer. In addition, the wrestling and boys basketball teams plan to start showing their support. This year, the pinkout football game will be Oct. 5, which is also the Homecoming Game. The pink-out game is the most prominent event held to support breast cancer at Eureka and has helped raise over $8,000 for the Siteman Cancer Center, a local organization based in Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Washington University School of Medicine, in past years. “We wear pink socks for football to show that we support the cause and we want to find a cure for breast cancer,” Nate Echard, defensive back, said. “It’s a symbol that we have respect for people who have survived.” Cats for a Cause t-shirts will be sold for students to wear at the pink-out football game and throughout the month of October. The proceeds go to the Siteman Cancer Center. Embroid Me, the t-shirt company, does not make any money from producing the shirts with every penny of profit donated. Mrs. Becky Stevenson, language arts teacher, and Mrs. Mary Wisdom, mathematics teacher, collaborate on the design for the t-shirts. Almost 400 Cats for a Cause t-shirts were sold last year, donating $2,400, according to Mrs. Wisdom. “I was surprised by the number of students who purchased the Cats for a Cause t-shirts,” Mrs. Dianne Johnson,
After shaving her head, Schaefer was overwhelmed with a wave of support. She
started the #BeatCancer trend on Twitter to show her support for the cause.
breast cancer survivor, said. “We have four or five teachers in the science hallway alone who have been affected by breast cancer. The impacts are huge whether it’s a mother or a sister.” Whether it is buying a t-shirt or attending a game, students are willing to get involved in whatever way possible. “I bought a Cats for a Cause shirt, and my brother bought one also,” Harrison Fain (11) said. “If someone puts a good idea out there, everyone can support it. The school is a good place to start.” StuCo holds an annual blood-drive. Donating blood directly helps cancer patients since they may need blood transfusions during treatment. “Everybody should do their part. You tend to do more once it affects you, but you should do something now because you never know when it’s going to affect your family and friends,” Mrs. Gail Haynes,
leukemia and breast cancer survivor, said. “When you’re going through all of the emotional turmoil, it’s big to not have financial worry. Cancer organizations do so much. They do research; they provide information; and they provide financial aid to those who need it.” The amount of effort EHS puts into cancer awareness shocks incoming students and teachers. “I’ve been in several schools and it seems like we’ve done pretty well here in the last few years,” Dr. Green said. “I don’t know how we could get cancer awareness and fundraising at Eureka any bigger.” EHS is there to save the day when someone is in need. Various clubs and individuals have gone out of their way to give a helping hand. These everyday people will not give up the fight to find a cure. “They are my heroes,” Matthew Butchart (10) said.
Student Special! 12” 1-topping pizza for only $5
Student special goes until 5 p.m. weekdays. Bring your student I.D. to get your pizza.
108C Hilltop Village Center Dr. • Eureka, MO 63025 (636) 777-2333