HOSA to raise money for St. Jude

Those+interested+in+more+information+about+donating+to+St.+Jude+may+see+Mrs.+Parsons+in+room+347.+

Those interested in more information about donating to St. Jude may see Mrs. Parsons in room 347.

Bear Facts Staff

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and HOSA, a career and technical student-led organization specifically dedicated to preparing students for careers in the healthcare profession, is raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The faculty member with the most money donated to his or her name will get a pie in the face at the pep rally on Friday, Sept. 24.

According to health science teacher and HOSA sponsor Tara Parsons, this will be the first year the organization is donating to St. Jude, but they hope to make it an annual donation. St. Jude has always had a special place in her heart, especially since seeing how it helped someone in need.

“In 2015, I started seeing posts about a friend from nursing school’s niece,” Parsons said. “Her name was Austyn Halter. She was diagnosed with AML-M7, a rare form of leukemia. Through the Facebook group #AUSTYNSTRONG, I was able to watch the Halter family’s journey at St. Jude and how good they were to them. No family will ever be turned away from St. Jude for financial reasons and they will never receive a bill.”

Parsons said HOSA’s donation this year will be in honor of Austyn Halter.

“Less than 4 percent of the federal budget for cancer research goes to childhood cancer,” Parsons said. “Children are worth more than 4 percent.”

For those who would like to donate to this cause, click this link to make your donation and to select the faculty member of your choice:  https://secure.payk12.com/school/Little-Cypress-Mauriceville-High-School/706/item/206665

All funds raised will go directly to St. Jude.