Clarendon school gave its students a party on June 1 after they raised more than $5,700 for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to help find a cure for the disease and its complications by financially supporting more research. Since 1970, the Foundation has provided more than $326 million for diabetes research, more than any other non-profit, non-governmental health agency in the world.
“We have two kids with diabetes in the school this year, one in kindergarten, the other in the fourth grade,” said Renee Towell, a parent organizer of the event, last week. “We got a lot of support from everybody.”
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent and pervasive diseases of modern times. Approximately 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes and its complications, which include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and loss of nerve function. But while discovering that a child has the disease is brutal enough, Towell said, learning that it has no cure creates a greater sense of hopelessness.
Insulin, which is given to sufferers, is not a cure for diabetes and does not prevent the onset of serious complications. Diabetes sufferers also face a greater occurrence of more routine illnesses since diabetes also strikes the auto immune system, leaving a child vulnerable to a host of opportunistic viruses such as colds and the flu.
Last year, students, teachers and the administration pulled together to hold the school’s first fundraiser after it was discovered that one of the students had the disease. This year, the school continued its effort, and discovered another student with the same condition.
Students, teachers and others began a campaign to help raise money to help find a cure for the disease in the names of the Clarendon School students stricken.
For the second year in a row, Principal Ralph Merlo allowed students to raise money through the school by placing empty water bottles – donated by Poland Spring – around the school in classrooms, the cafeteria and other areas for students to fill with cash. The collection of the money was organized by the school’s student government.
Towell, involved in the movement for both years, said students amazed her with the amount of money they raised, many bringing in paper money as well as pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
The school celebrated it success on June 1 with a party that included a performance by Mr. Ray [Anderson], one of the most celebrated children’s performers in the state as well as a disc jockey from Radio Disney.
The program, called “Pennies for a Cure 2001,” included a video presentation that told kids about the disease and the efforts made to find a cure. JDF officials said 85 cents out of every $1 went to research.
An amazing event
Towell, a blonde-haired woman in a white shirt and tan pants, scrambled to make certain the event ran smoothly. Principal Merlo, noted for his sense or order, shook his head slowly at the mass of laughing and yelling kids. “I’ve come a long way since I’ve become a principal,” he said, laughing. “Ten years ago, I’m not sure I could have handled anything like this.”
To help supplement the efforts of the schoolchildren, Disetronic Medical Systems, Inc. of Morristown, a firm that manufacturers diabetes monitoring equipment, donated a $200 check. Panasonic’s community outreach program donated $1,500 towards the children’s efforts and donated prizes to the kids. They also donated a 25-inch TV/VCR unit to the school. Modell’s sporting goods in the Mall at Mill Creek also donated prizes given to kids for various contests and for most money raised.
Elizabeth Scott, a sixth grader at the school, said she had raised money by asking her mother for spare change and looking around the house to find money. She said her brother also lent a hand.
“I really wanted to help,” she said.
Lauren Jackson said she had gone to members of her family seeking to raise money.
“I thought it was a very good cause,” she said, noting that she knew one of the students who had the disease. Sasha Gitchen said she raised money from her family.
Shawn Napolitano said he brought his full collection can into school five times, finding money in his closet as well as other places.
Mathew Florio said he brought in jar full of change.
“I want to find a cure,” he said. “A friend of mine has diabetes and so does his dad.”
Ali Mahuar said he saved up money from his allowance, and said he knew someone with the disease as well Justine Aguilos brought in loose change from around the house. While he didn’t know anyone with the disease, he said he felt bad about someone suffering.
Melissa Pettiganno asked her father for money and brought it in. Because she works in the nurse’s office, she got to see one of the kids. Lauren Colucci said her dad gave her his loose change.