PUSD: Cancel Calories, Help Cure Cancer

By Julian Ring

Cancer. It is a disease that has impacted the lives of many, and chances are most students know somebody who has struggled with it.

When parent special educator Diane Robb and others working in Room 44 realized how many PUSD staff were fighting the disease, they wanted to help. With the help of the American Cancer Society, the teachers are organizing a Mini Relay for Life to be held at noon on March 11 at Witter Field.

“When school started this year, we found out that more than nine people between PHS, MHS, and the district office are or have been fighting cancer,” Robb said. “That number just seemed out of control, so we decided to do something.”

Robb contacted the American Cancer Society and asked what she could do. They suggested that Piedmont hold its own Relay for Life event.

“I had two choices: to be sad or to get really angry,” Robb said. “So I called the Cancer Society and said, ‘What can I do?’ They told me a lot of small cities do these mini relay walks. I said, ‘Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.’”

The Relay for Life is a fundraising event whereby participants run and make donations to the American Cancer Society. The program began in 1985 and has collectively raised over $3 billion towards cancer prevention and treatment, according to their website. More than 4,800 events have been held all over the country.

This will be the first Relay for Life Piedmont has ever hosted, Robb said.

“We really want this to be a great event,” Robb said.

According to Robb, donations are not required for participation in the relay. However, she does request that people alert others about the event.

“We’ve set up a website, I’ve sent out an email districtwide, I’ve created flyers to go in everybody’s boxes, and I’m writing an ad to go in the Piedmont Post,” Robb said. “We really want to get people on the track on March 11 to walk.”

While the relay will celebrate those who have survived cancer, a special “lap of silence” will occur to remember those who have been less fortunate. Participants will be able to decorate paper bags with candles inside for loved ones.

Senior class president Cassey Chan said she thinks the event is a good way to raise awareness and assist members of community.

“It’s really cool that we’re supporting a cause that affects our community,” Chan said. “I know people in our school who have battled cancer, and it’s great that we want to raise money for them.”

Junior Maddie Pomaro said she agreed with Chan. The Relay for Life is important, especially since cancer is a problem nationwide, she said.

“It’s definitely not exclusive to Piedmont, but it’s still a big issue here,” Pomaro said. “I think [Relay for Life] is a great idea to help out people in the community.”

Pomaro said she is unsure if she will run, but will possibly make a donation.

Julian Ring is a senior at Piedmont High School, the news editor of The Piedmont Highlander and a participant in a teen program at the Oakland Tribune.