For most of us, September means back to school, football games, and a sign of fall in the air. But for those parents of children who have been diagnosed with cancer, it means weekly or more trips out of town to receive treatment for their cancer, daily hopes and prayers that good news will follow, and wishes that their child will be pain free and be able to do the things other children can do.
During the August 23 monthly school board meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education, Barbara Dockery, President of the Coffee County Childhood Awareness Group along with committee members Julie Harper and Alice Wright, presented an overview of this year’s events. Following their presentation Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent, read a proclamation declaring this Friday, September 21 as Childhood Cancer Awareness. All students and staff are encouraged to wear their Childhood Cancer Awareness t-shirts or the color gold.
The Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County is celebrating its eighth year with Childhood Cancer Awareness activities through the display of gold ribbons, gold bows, flags, and banners reflecting the gold ribbon as its symbol of HOPE. The mission of the group is to provide financial assistance, emotional and spiritual support and information for the families of children with cancer; raise public awareness of the disease; and advocate on behalf of the children who are affected in this area.
This Friday night during the pre-game activities at the Trojan football game, the Childhood Cancer Awareness volunteers will be recognized on the football field as they salute some of the local childhood cancer warriors and their families. A gold ribbon, the symbol for childhood cancer, will be painted on the field as well as the football players, cheerleaders and band members will all be wearing gold ribbons in support of these children. Cupcakes will also be on sale in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness.
The annual Silent Auction and Bake Sale will be held on Friday, September 28 in the Central Square gym from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The live auction will be held on Saturday, September 29 beginning at 7:00 PM with a catered meal at 6:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased from any Childhood Cancer Awareness Committee member or at their new location on Ward Street across from Danny’s Pizza.
The Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County invites you to participate in their activities and extends their gratitude to our community for the warmth and generosity shown to our childhood cancer children and their families.
In the future when you see the gold ribbons around town, we hope you will remember the children who are fighting this disease and come out to support them.