Editor: I am the mother of a seven-year-old who happens to be one of only 17 alkaptonuria (AKU) patients in Canada. I am also privileged to be a teacher at the most extraordinary high school (Delta Secondary) in the most amazing community: Ladner.
At the start of this school year, I told my friends and colleagues about an exciting campaign to find a cure for this ultra-rare disease (aka black bone disease). Donations started coming in immediately from my colleagues, friends and family who wanted to help me - a mother.
Then, one very dedicated teacher and friend, Dana Huff, decided to ask her incredible Leadership class this question: "If you had time and money, what would you do with it?" Many of these altruistic students wanted an opportunity to help a sick child. This is where Huff asked if I wanted to discuss my desire to help the AKU Society cure black bone disease before my son has to feel the painful effects of this degenerative condition.
All I did was tell my story and the next thing I knew the students had organized bake sales (with donated baked goods), volleyball game donation tables, classroom donation money jars, a Delta Ice Hawks hockey game (with all of the 700 tickets being donated), individual donations, social media websites, photo booths, coffee and hot chocolate sales, etc.
This has truly become a community campaign. DSS has raised over $5,000 so far and they're not done yet.
These wonderfully hardworking and thoughtful students have generated such
momentum and generosity; I am at a loss for words when I so badly want and need to thank them and the very giving community.
I love coming to school every day because it is an honour to teach your children. You have instilled your young people with heart, resourcefulness, compassion and determination. They are a credit to their parents and community.
Pam Mann
