Madeleine's March it was to be called, a coin drive in honor of our Madeleine and a way for Veronica's 11-yr old sister Jordyn and her classmates to understand pediatric cancer. How hard it has been for parents and adults to understand why Madeleine was diagnosed with a brain tumor and would have to go through several surgeries and chemotherapy, we can only imagine how much harder it has been for middle school kids to grasp the idea and thought of her journey. "She's only a little baby" was something that has frequently been said; "I hope she doesn't have to be in pain," the kids wrote in sympathy cards to Jordyn that she shared with us. For kids, cancer is just as scary. For Jordyn, I think she immediately feared the worst when we found out the diagnosis: her best friend's mother had been taken by cancer in 2008 when the girls were just 8 years old and those memories and love for Cindy have never faded. I wasn't sure exactly how to explain to Jordyn what was happening and why. She had come to visit Madeleine when she was "still healthy" around 8 weeks of age when life was normal. Christmas would take place early last year so that my mother could come to Los Angeles to support us and be with us for Madeleine's biopsy surgery. Jordyn had a lot of questions and was so very concerned about Madeleine, she went to school and began to share her thoughts and feelings with her teacher Mr. Hurley and her classmates. And from the wave of concern and desire to help, Madeleine's March was born.
For March and April Jordyn spearheaded collecting coin donations from their classrooms and she sold "Madeleine's Journey" wristbands for $5 each; Mr. Hurley passed out candy bars at lunch breaks to students sporting their wristband, and the commitment from their teachers that they would do something embarrassing if their classes chose to participate in the fundraiser. The school principal mentioned to my mother that these kids really have heart; they are frequently eager to help others less fortunate and want to do charitable works for people in the community as they've demonstrated through numerous other fundraisers, visiting seniors in nursing facilities, having a can drive at Thanksgiving and others. The kids raised over $1,200 of their own money in the coin drive, over $350 in wristband sales, and another $200 at the assembly this morning (May 9th) in under 5 minutes for the opportunity to spray their principal with silly string. Two local news channels featured their effort on the evening newscasts! I think it's so important to positively reinforce kids when they show tremendous character, and we couldn't be prouder of Jordyn and her classmates. Thank you so very much to Mr. Hurley, the Cold Spring MS administration and all of the students for their efforts in bringing awareness to pediatric cancer and for being a part of making Madeleine well again!
Jordyn's interview on Kolo Channel 8
Students Win Bet With Teachers
KRNV Channel 4
clip can be seen with 1:10 left on video
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