Schools across Canada are warming up for one of the most distinctly Canadian causes in our country.
Tomorrow, starting at 10:45 a.m., students from Drumheller Valley Secondary School will be running in the annual Terry Fox National School Run Day 2012. The goal of the event is to raise both awareness and money for cancer research.
Organizers for the run at DVSS have set a high goal.
“We’re trying to push the $25 per student, which would make the total $8,750,” said DVSS teacher Laura Hegberg.
To encourage students to raise money, organizers are offering some incentives. A few of the male teachers at the school have offered to set a rather dramatic example.
“We have some incentives for students or the class who raise the most. Some of the male teachers are willing to wax some body parts as incentives,” said Hegberg.
Should students raise the targeted amount, Jason Rasmussen, Dan Hird, and maybe even associate principal Brad Teske have pledged to undergo a wax. Ryan Hatch has promised to be waxed should students raise $5,000.
Last year a similar wager was made with students, though the teachers legs went unscathed as students did not quite reach their goal.
The day will start in the gym for an assembly where students will listen to the story of a Drumheller mother and her son. Melanie Skalk will share the story of her son, Grant’s, battle with a cancer. A battle that ultimately claimed his life.
The students will also learn how cancer works. Though cancer is a term students know, it may not be something students understand.
“Our biology teacher is also to explain the biology of cancer to everyone. A lot of people have heard the terms, but might not really know what it is,” said Hegberg.
After the assembly, students will run 8 kilometers around the school, or for about an hour. Then, students will be treated to a barbecue, cooked by the school’s international students.
“We have a lot of international students here. They have already been given a little bit of a lesson about who Terry Fox was and they’re going to help out with the barbecue afterwards,” said Hegberg.
Students will be working hard to raise money for cancer research and the chance to see a few teachers undergo a rather painful wax.
“It’s good the students realize 80 per cent of the schools across Canada are running at the same time to raise money for cancer research,” said Hegberg. “Any money we raise helps and gives the students awareness of a great cause.”
