Unity Composite High School's student leadership council ran several projects at the beginning of the school year to not only raise cancer awareness, but also as fundraisers.
Students paid to wear a hat and purchased ribbons outlining colours representing various types of cancer. In addition, they collected a wagonload of pennies. An honour wall was set up in the hallway for staff and students to purchase space and write out an acknowledgement in memory of a loved one who lost a battle to cancer and to honour loved ones still battling cancer. A Movember competition was held.
In addition to $440 collected from these projects, students were encouraged to bring stuffies. Over 70 stuffies were collected and to all was attached a note saying: "I am your friend. I can go with you where you need a friend; to appointments, to treatment, for a hospital stay or you can keep me at home. I will listen to your fears, your secrets and your dreams and I won't tell anyone. I am huggable and I don't mind at all when you squeeze me tight. I will always be with you as long as you need me. You are strong and I believe in you!"
It was decided by the students to give the money and stuffies to acknowledge the annual Relay for Life event because funds raised at this event stay in Saskatchewan for cancer patient support.
Arlene Wilkie said the Battlefords Oncology Unit was thrilled to accept the stuffies students prepared for their unit. Wilkie will be delivering the stuffies and will also personally deliver the funds when she takes part in Relay for Life June 7 in North Battleford.
