Cancer champion

By Helen White

Five years ago a 11-year-old girl sat in a room with her parents as a doctor delivered the news that no parent wishes to hear. Their daughter had been diagnosed with brain cancer. That 11-year-old girl was Audrey-Ann Bourassa. Just one week after her diagnosis Audrey underwent her first surgery. A week after coming out of surgery she began her radiotherapy.

Five years and four surgeries later Audrey still battles this debilitating disease. “It’s hard to live with it,” she says about her illness. Since her surgery she has had to make many changes to her life. Her right hand shakes when she tries to hold a pencil or utensil. In order to adjust to this she has had to become left-handed. After every surgery she has had to relearn even the simplest things, including swallowing. “I was like a baby after every surgery,” she says.

Yet she has retrained herself well enough to take part in activities such as soccer, basketball and schoolwork. Although she still sees the effects of her disease, such as her change in voice, she is still positive and actively searching for a cure for cancer.

Over the past few weeks, Audrey-Ann, with the help of Mme Boudreau and other volunteers, has raised over $900 to support cancer research. She has done this by raffling off homemade taffy, organizing a free dress day, as well as shaving the heads of willing sponsored boys. She chose the Shaved-Head Challenge because she sees it as paying respect to those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

Another upcoming event in support of Audrey-Ann’s cancer drive is the Relay for Life this June. She had hoped to get 15 participants; over 30 people have already signed up for the event. Please support her efforts this spring and if you are afraid to bare it all before grad, there will be another Shaved-Head Challenge event after grad.

This girl is an example of someone with courage and determination and has set an example for us all. The least we can do is to help her win her battle and help the millions of people like her win theirs. So sign up for the Relay, sponsor the challenge or even try to win some of that tasty taffy, because after all it’s for a great cause.

Follow-up:

At Friday morning's assembly, when the amount raised from the previous day’s Shaved-Head Challenge was announced, Mr. Van Dyke said, “Hold everything” and brought Matt Root to the front. Matt had collected $300 during the day yesterday to raise money for one particular shaved head. Matt then raised the screen and there, in stubbly glory, was Mr. Wells.

“Audrey-Ann, you are a beautiful person, and there are not too many people that I would make this gesture for,” he said.

“Very nice words, Mr. Wells,” said Headmaster Wolfe, walking onto stage, whipping off a hat and revealing that he too had shaved his head.

Could a couple hundred dollars more convince Mr. Wells to lose the beard? Stay tuned.

- RM