Kid Heroes Raise Funds For a Cure
By Dave Woods • dwoods@officialkidsmag.com
Kari N., a breast cancer survivor, calls her son, Charles, an “old soul.”
“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer before I was born,” the 9-year-old Bentonville fourth grader told me. “I really feel lucky she did survive or I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now.”
Charles, a Central Park Elementary student, is well aware how lucky he and his sister, Anna, are and how breast cancer has impacted other families who may not have been as fortunate.
During the month of October, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization focused on raising funds to help find a cure for breast cancer and supporting those families fighting it, holds several fundraisers including Paint the Park Pink, the Pink Ribbon Luncheon and and Swing for a Cure. In April 2019 the annual Race for a Cure will be held and Charles will be there.
“My friend Jack’s mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer,” he said. “He does the race with me. He’s my very good friend.”
To show his support for his mother and others facing the disease, Charles and Anna have made it their mission to raise funds and awareness of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Charles takes his fundraising seriously, but has fun doing it. He and Anna really are kid heroes.
“I made pine cones,” he explained. “I pick them up and put little ropes on them and put pink and red glitter glue on them and make Christmas ornaments.”
Pink and red, he said, are the Komen colors.
“We sell them to make money to give to Komen,” he added. “I really like doing it. It’s fun and for a good cause. I think a lot of people should do it. If you are into arts and crafts and are a kind person, then this is right for you. I really think that people should tell other people and encourage them to donate some money, volunteer or raise money and participate in events that are happening.”
Anna, a fifth grader at Bright Field Middle School in Bentonville, has let her creative juices flow to support the organization, too.
“I did a thing where I painted art on canvases and made money and gave it to Komen,” she said. “That fact is that I’m not helping just one or two persons. I’m helping a bunch of people. It doesn’t have to be someone I know. It could be anybody. Even though they don’t know me, they are grateful that I’m helping. We need to make a difference. No matter how old or how young you are, you can make a really big difference.”
Kari, the two kid heroes’ mom, has long had ties to the Komen organization. She currently serves as president of the local organization’s board of directors.
“As a survivor and a mom, it makes me really proud to know they are doing something for someone else,” she said. “They have seen what people go through and understand that even though they are young there is a lot they can do to make a difference and set an example. They really do understand we are fortunate my outcome was what it was. It’s given them a lot of empathy for people who are sick or have hardships. It’s changed who they are as young human beings.”
DID YOU KNOW?
- An average of 600 kids participate in the annual Kids for a Cure run in Northwest Arkansas.
- The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the world’s largest, most successful fundraising and education event for breast cancer. The race series includes more than 140 events on four continents, with over one million participants coming together every year to take part in the fight against breast cancer.
Learn more about the organization and find opportunities to volunteer and donate.