Several Shelton High School students will raise money to help fight childhood cancer this month.
Keirsten McDonald, a 14-year-old freshman who is Miss Shelton Teen America, is leading the effort. Proceeds will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Keirsten, who is competing for the Miss Connecticut Teen America title this month, said she has recruited several students and a teacher to help with the fundraising, and all of the money raised will go to the hospital. The effort also is designed to help raise awareness about childhood cancer.
"The students are being asked to write letters to people they know," Keirsten said. "If they would like to contribute, they can, but the main goal is to spread awareness through getting as many names and addresses we can."
Keirsten said she has known people with cancer, such as Grace Searles, who died in 2004. Searles was a Pop Warner cheerleading coach, and Keirsten met her through cheerleading.
Through her church, Keirsten learned about the plight of Sydney Bartone of Derby, who died at age 7 after battling neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.
"While I didn't know Sydney personally, her story made me aware that cancer can even happen to children," Keirsten said.
Keirsten has been getting the word out to other Shelton High students and signing people up to participate. Those interested will be gathering 20 names and addresses of people they think would want to learn more about St. Jude and donate.
Shelton High Headmaster Beth Smith said she is proud of Keirsten's efforts.
"She has done a wonderful job in involving other youths in her volunteer work," Smith said. This week, students mailed out letters asking for donations, which go directly to St. Jude. Students will then learn from hospital officials how much was raised.
According to Keirsten, the Miss Connecticut Teen program promotes community awareness, involvement and service.
"This ... is more than volunteering my time, it is bringing awareness to Connecticut about a hospital that does so much for so many people and primarily off of donations," said Keirsten.
Keirsten said several of her friends have been helping with the effort.
Jennifer Maffeo, the event marketing representative for Connecticut at St. Jude, said about 70 high schools nationwide have signed up to participate, and more are joining daily.
"Every dollar that is donated really makes a difference," Maffeo said. "No family at St. Jude ever receives a bill, so we rely on volunteers across the country. These high school students are excited to help younger children and other teenagers."
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay, according to Maffeo.
For more information, visit www.stjude.org. Donations may be sent to: Jennifer Maffeo, ALSAC/ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 1 Bridge St., Suite 102, Newton, Mass. 02458, Reference: Keirsten McDonald/Shelton High School Rally. To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com. Copyright (c) 2008, New Haven Register, Conn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, New Haven Register, Conn.