JOLENE MARTINEZ –
CV Student Media –
The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year. Many students and teachers at CV know someone affected by PD.
Jennifer Dallam and her son, Jason Dallman, have been leading a group of CV students and faculty to help Pedaling for Parkinson’s. Dallman and her son have been working the last two months to help the organization raise money for PD.
“My Dad was a high school teacher, coach, naturalist and cowboy. Parkinson’s has taken all of these things away from him. That is why I am dedicated to working hard to inform people of this devastating disease,” said Jennifer Dallman.
The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research focuses on finding a cure for people living with PD.
Challenging Heights
Founded by James Kofi Annan, Challenging Heights is a school created to rehabilitate students who escaped from slavery. Challenging Heights has helped educate over 1,700 Ghanaian students.
Chemistry teacher, Ben Wolfe supported this organization when teaching middle school at American Academy. Students fundraised toys, clothes and playground equipment for students in Ghana.
The money raised for Challenging Heights will help build classrooms that will be named after Castle View High School.
“Challenging Heights has given me the understanding of how important that is to do as well as the opportunity to do it,” said Wolfe.
The National MS Society
There are over 8,000 people in Douglas County affected by Multiple Sclerosis each day. Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, affects the central nervous system by interfering with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord.
Many students at CV know someone with MS. For nine years, Coach Schmidt coached football at Castle View. Now, his son, Rory has worked on helping bring awareness on MS.
“He (Coach Schmidt) has taught me what it means to fight through hardship,” said Rory Schmidt.
Miles for Tuesday
Miles for Tuesday is an organization in honor of Tuesday Whitt who lost her battle with neuroblastoma at the age of two.
According to the Miles for Tuesday website, “Miles for Tuesday is comprised of runners and cyclists of all experience levels with one common goal…participating in events to raise funds in support of kids battling cancer.”
So far, the Whitt family has helped raise over $150,000 for pediatric cancer programs. This year, Miles for Tuesday is helping Shutterbug give cameras to kids battling cancer. Professional photographers will help kids become photographers themselves and hang up their best work.
“The program speaks for itself,” said Jessica Whitt, “families have nothing but good things to say about what it’s offered their children.”