By Elizabeth Marie Himchak
When Del Norte sophomore Olivia Gastaldo was 10 years old, she was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a rare form for one her age, she said.
Olivia Gastaldo
Now the 16-year-old has been named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society San Diego/Hawaii Chapter?s ?Girl of the Year.?
In addition to speaking at events to raise awareness, she and her fellow Del Norte Nighthawks will be trying to raise $10,000 next week as part of the campus? ?Global Awareness Week? to help the society that years earlier helped finance a clinical trial that benefited Gastaldo.
Instead of an expected treatment of chemotherapy, she became part of a clinical trial that tested Gleevec, a new medication in pill form that was approved for adults but not yet tried on children.
Because of that, Gastaldo said she is now living a typical teenager?s life ? going to high school and playing three sports a year, even though for the rest of her life she will likely have to continue her five-pills-a-day cancer treatment to keep her leukemia under control.
She called the medication her ?miracle drug? because ?I live a perfectly normal life that is nothing out of the ordinary? and it prevented her from experiencing cancer treatment side effects like hair loss. For the first two years she often experienced leg cramps and her skin became a shade lighter, but other than that her side effects have been minimal, she said.
?Technically, we cannot say (leukemia) is ? in remission, because I still have it in my system,? she said. ?It is suppressed.?
On Monday, March 12, Del Norte students will watch a 10-minute public service announcement in homeroom that explains Gastaldo?s cancer experience.
On Tuesday, March 13, students will be asked to donate at least $10 to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and invited to attend optional assemblies in the school?s performing arts center. There, doctors and researchers will share the latest news in their fight against cancer.
Those who donate at least $20 will receive wristbands or T-shirts (not determined by press time).
The fundraiser is open to the public, who can bring donations to the school office, 16601 Nighthawk Lane in 4S Ranch, or make a donation at www.mwoy.org/sd.
During lunch on Wednesday, March 14, students will be encouraged to create personalized cards of inspiration for patients at Rady Children?s Hospital, which is where Gastaldo was hospitalized when she first became ill six years ago.
As for the week?s final two days, on Thursday, March 15, Del Norte?s Invisible Children Organization will host optional assemblies featuring the documentary ?Kony 2012.? It tells the story of ?invisible children? in Uganda who were abducted and forced to become child soldiers.
On Friday, March 16, the Del Norte Do Something KIN Club is organizing a food-packing event in which an expected 300 volunteers will assemble 20,000 meals for the hungry in San Diego County, Haiti and Tanzania. It is in conjunction with Friends & Family Community Connection.
Gastaldo said besides raising awareness of LLS, her campaign will inspire her fellow students. ?A lot of kids my age do not think they can make a difference, but they can when they volunteer their time,? she said.
Principal Greg Mizel said he was very impressed with Gastaldo?s experience when she shared it with him and asked for the school?s help with her campaign. Getting involved with such efforts, he added, assists Del Norte staff with their mission to make students other-centered, future focused and globally aware.
He added that had it not been for funding of the trial medication, Gastaldo?s life could have been very different, which is why financially supporting LLS is important.
?(LLS) is a great society that has helped a lot of people,? Gastaldo said. ?I am first-hand proof.?
Related posts:
- 4S Ranch school expands its ?Pasta for Pennies? fundraiser to surrounding communities
- Party to launch 4S Ranch cancer survivor?s new book
- Del Norte teens would like your jeans
- Del Norte High to stage ?Murder Most Foul?
- Pals get a buzz out of supporting stricken student
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=22276
Source: http://www.pomeradonews.com/2012/03/10/del-norte-students-trying-to-raise-10000-to-fight-cancer/
huntington disease new world trade center west memphis three shaun white taxes game of thrones season 2 trailer sag award winners
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.