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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School eighth-grade students, along with assistant principal Michael Flood (back) and event coordinator Nicole Billak (far right) showed their support of World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day by wearing purple on Nov. 17.
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Neighbors | Submitted.During the week of Nov. 14-17, Canfield Village Middle School parent volunteers sold purple bead necklaces during all lunch periods in support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day.
By ABBY SLANKER
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and, for the second year, students at Canfield Village Middle School showed their support on Nov. 17. The day was designated as World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day and the students were encouraged to wear as much purple as they could, from head to toe.
The homeroom which showed the most support with their purple was rewarded with a special treat. MeLynda Guerrieri’s fifth-grade class won the prize with the most purple.
During the week of Nov. 14-17, parent volunteers sold purple bead necklaces during all middle school lunch periods. The students could buy as many beads as they liked and wear them all week to show their support.
In addition, for each stand of beads a student bought, they were entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of three gift cards. The three winners were Xavier Rowbottom, Riley Chambers and Mrs. Cheryl Tubic.
All monies raised were donated to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Last year, the event raised $319.10.
“This year, the goal was to double what we raised last year, and thanks to all the bead sales and other monetary donations, we were able to meet that goal by raising more than $650,” said Nicole Billak, organizer of the event.
Billak also said she chose the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as the organization which will receive all monies raised from the event because it focuses on advancing research.
“PANCAN is focused on advancing research for pancreatic cancer. Eighty-one percent of their funds are used for their programs. Their goal is to double the five-year survival rate by 2020. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer right now is only 8 percent,” Billak said.
CVMS teachers also had a chance to get involved with Crusaders for the Cause, during which teachers could donate money and fill out a paper listing who they wage hope for, which was then displayed on the wall of the school’s lobby.