REC students raise money for classmate undergoing chemotherapy

By Denise Dick | May 16, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Rayen Early College Middle School students and staff raised about $1,900 for the American Cancer Society and a classmate who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Friday marked the school’s third Relay for Life. Students sold cookies, candy and T-shirts, staged a basket raffle and charged students to play football and other games in the Chaney campus track’s infield to raise money.

The black T-shirts read “Walk for Daniela” across the back.

Eighth-grader Daniela Viera, 14, was diagnosed last July with an abdominal tumor. She undergoes chemotherapy weekly.

“I think it’s nice that they did this for me and that they’re supporting me,” Daniela said.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Daniela and her family with the remainder for the American Cancer Society.

Initially, the only person she told at school was her best friend. Her friend told others who planned the event.

“She told them so they would support me,” Daniela said. “They talk to me when I’m really sad.”

Sandy Hoziak, the school nurse, and Ashlee Cline, guidance counselor, planned the event.

“This is the third year, and each year we’ve raised about $2,000,” Hoziak said. “And that’s from 164 kids.”

Both teachers and students participate in the fundraising.

Sixth-grader Bryan Estrada, 12, and seventh-grader Aaliyah Smith, 13, each wore the “Walk for Daniela” shirts.

Both of their families also have been touched by cancer.

“I have people in my family who have cancer, and I wanted to show support,” Aaliyah said.

The event also honored seventh-grader Britney Rodriguez, 13, who survived a brain tumor, and teacher Georgiana Naoum, a 41/2-year breast-cancer survivor.

“It’s amazing,” Naoum said. “Because our school is so small, we’re more like a family, and we rally around each other.”

Daniela’s mother, Aleidy Miranda, said her daughter’s problems began last summer with what looked like a mosquito bite on her abdomen. The bump grew, and Miranda took Daniela to a doctor who ran tests and diagnosed it as a desmoid tumor, a rare condition.

“I was in shock when they said it was a tumor,” she said.

News that her teachers and classmates wanted to help cheered up Daniela, her mother said.

“She was really happy,” Miranda said. “She said, ‘I’m not alone.’”