Local Students Rally to Wipe Out Cancer

One dollar at a time, the kids in and District 66 are hoping to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Positive energy filled gym Friday as the students kicked off a weeklong fundraiser for the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University.

Students from and EJH will compete against the kids at Prairieview Elementary and Lakeview Junior High to see which district can raise the most funds.

They’ll raise the money by selling paper fists for $1 — fists that represent their goal of knocking out cancer.

The fundraiser is the brainchild of Beth Tischler, who chairs Cancer Smashers, a youth offshoot of the H Foundation, a local group that raises money for cancer research.

“I think it’s extremely important for kids to learn at an early age that volunteering is something we should all be doing on a regular basis,” Tischler said.

Lakeview bused a group of students over for the assembly, which with an appearance by the EJH drum line and a performance by the school’s cheerleaders had the frenetic energy of a pep rally.

"I actually started to get teary-eyed and hope the excitement turns into money for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of NU," Tischler said.

While the purpose of the fundraiser is very serious, it doesn’t hurt to throw in a little friendly competition, parent volunteer Dena Provenzano said.

“I love these kids so much,” she said. “Their enthusiasm is great.”

CBS 2 news anchor Rob Johnson, who recently joined the H Foundation Board of Directors, helped the students unite in support of the cause. A crew from the station filmed the assembly for a segment scheduled to air this Friday.

At the end of the competition, the principals of the schools that raise less money will have to wear gear from the other school. EJH Principal Mike Fitzgerald, for one, picked out a cheerleader uniform for Principal Paul Windsor.

But along with the fun, the reason for the fundraiser is still foremost on the minds of the students. Many of Cancer Smashers’ members said they’re involved because the disease has touched their families.

EJH eighth-grader Amanda Surrosco said she volunteers with the group because her grandmother had cancer.

“I want cancer to be gone,” she said.

Kenny Vondra, a freshman at , lost his mother to cancer when he was 2 years old.

Kenny went on a tour of the Lurie Center labs with Cancer Smashers in December. Meeting the researchers working toward a cure was overwhelming, he said.

“It was very special,” he said. “I thanked every single one of them.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit www.cancersmashers.com.