Community Corner

Rain Can't Stop Freedom Elementary Students from Fighting Cancer

Freedom Elementary School held a mini Relay for Life Friday to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Cancer is nothing to laugh about but the students at Freedom Elementary School had a good time Friday as they raised money to fight cancer and support local survivors. 

Freedom Elementary held a mini Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society funds cancer research around the Baltimore area and also offers programs and support services to people fighting cancer and their caregivers. 

"I'm a cancer survivor and we've had several teachers who have been touched with cancer, several of them who did not survive," Relay for Life Team Captain and Freedom Elementary School teacher Caroline Will said. "We do this to honor them and to raise money so we can wipe out cancer in this lifetime."

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Nine laps around the indoor track, created when the weather forced the event inside, equalled one mile and many students were getting in at least one, even two miles during their turn on the track. 

Will said students are enthusiastic about the event because several teachers at the school have fought cancer and two teachers have died from cancer in the past couple years. Many students, as seen in the attached video, have also seen cancer first hand as close relatives have battled the disease.

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"All the children know somebody who has dealt with cancer, they've also been involved with teachers in the school who have had cancer," Will said. "They're very much aware of the impact that cancer has on lives. They've been wonderful."

In addition to raising money, close to $7,000, the students brought canned goods to put in the luminaria bags. More than 500 canned goods will be donated to Carroll County Food Sunday from the Relay event. 

"Children love to do it, they love to give to others," Will said. 

The Relay for Life of the Freedom Area is scheduled for Friday, June 14 at Liberty High School. It's not too late to get involved. 


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