Pink for a purpose

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do as much as she could to help others with breast cancer. Who knew that one sister’s promise would start a revolution in medicine?

Nancy started a foundation, in her sister’s name, which promotes breast cancer awareness and helps individuals who have a cancer diagnosis. The foundation has many fundraisers, but none as famous as Race for the Cure. This event serves as a celebration of life and freedom breast cancer and also promotes breast cancer awareness and early detection. 

Recently, I participated in one of the many Races for the Cure that take place around the world. The one I was part of happened on Daniel Island, South Carolina. Approximately 10,000 people gathered to run or walk for this cause. Symbolic pink trappings were everywhere, from survivors decked in pink shirts and hats to posters and even ornamental pink ribbons tied to the trees that marked the route. Along the 5K route people waved posters with messages like "Fight like a Girl” and “Go Pink.”

While running in the Race for the Cure, I saw how many people had flocked to support this cause. Many people running/walking were actual breast cancer survivors. Seeing these people run kept me going even when I started to get tired. It felt great at the end to know that I had just run for a wonderful cause that affected so many people. 

I will always support the work that the Susan G. Komen Foundation does. Thanks to this foundation many lives have been saved and a lot of scientific research has been funded in hopes of finding a cure to breast cancer.

—Kid Reporter Faith Dalzell

Photo: Kid Reporter Faith Dalzell after finishing the 5K Race for the Cure. (Courtesy Faith Dalzell) 

Love on a leash

Sammy is my three-and-a-half-year-old basset hound. He fills our lives with so much joy, and we notice all the smiles he brings out in everyone. He's a real "Love On a Leash.” So why keep it all to ourselves when we can share his joy with others — especially those in need of being cheered up?

Chandler Convalescent Home in North Hollywood, California, is a home for seniors who need help to live and get care in their old age. Many of the seniors have no visitors or family or any fun in their day. We decided it's a perfect place for a visit from Sammy.

We got a bunch of flower-shaped lollipops at the store and drove down to the Chandler Convalescent home. The first person we saw was John Witherspoon. He's a 64-year-old man who fought in the Vietnam War. He was sitting outside enjoying the sun when he saw Sammy come up to him and gave him a big slurp! I handed him a lollipop and we talked about his favorite band, the Beatles.

When we walked into the entrance, it was quiet. There were some TVs on in the background, but not much cheerfulness. Then as soon as the people saw Sammy, it was smiles everywhere! One lady, named Theresa, was sitting in her wheelchair started waving and clapping when she spotted Sammy trotting down the hall. He was the life of the whole place — Mr. Popular!

Another lady, Mable, was having a snack in her bed and wasn't able to get up, but Sammy went over and stood up on the side of her bed and licked her hand. She gave him some of her sandwich.

We met many nice people who live there, like Joy and Marci who like doing puzzles. They asked if we would bring a picture of Sammy next time for their room.

It was so much fun to see what a difference we could make. We made lots of new friends too. Sammy really did all the work. He deserves extra gravy on his dinner all week!

I hope Sammy inspires you and your family to give back in your neighborhood. There are people everywhere who are in need of a smile and love. Just a little goes along way. I know because it only took a half-hour of our day, and it made a difference in so many lives!

—Kid Reporter Damien Murphy

Photo: Kid Reporter Damien Murphy with Sammy, his basset hound, and John Witherspoon, a resident of Chandler Convalescent Home in Norht Hollywood, California. (Courtesy Damien Murphy)

My volunteering experience

As I rode my bike, I thought about where I was going. I was going to the only veterinarian clinic in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. When it gets a significant amount of donations, they run a free spade and neuter clinic for the overwhelming population of dogs and cats on this small, five-mile-long island. It has only one doctor and four assistants, so they ask for volunteers for these huge clinics. Although I really did want to help out, I was dreading the thought of seeing blood or animals that may be hurting. But I pushed those thoughts to the back of my head and moved forward.

I parked my bike outside of the clinic. The entrance volunteers sat at a table in front. They took in the animals and wrote down the important information. I walked to the back where recovery was. It was only the first hour of the day and there were already five cats lined up in recovery. They were lined up in a row, still under anesthesia, eyes wide open as if in everlasting shock. It was somewhat creepy with their never blinking eyes. But I was assured that when they are first put under anesthesia, their eyes are rubbed with an ointment so they do not dry out during the process. As I was helping in recovery, I got a BIG SURPRISE!

A volunteer, working in the surgery room, asked me to come into the operating room as she needed assistance. I said, “Yes," and followed her into the surgery room. I was given a pair of gloves and a surgical mask. I was a little scared of what I might see, but I stood my ground. The doctor then came in and set a cat on the table which had just been put under anesthesia. He then laid out the medical instruments he was planning to use. I was told to tie down the cat just in case it woke up. Then he started the operation. I felt not uncomfortable but good. I felt like this was a part of life. Doing this helped me view life better. I understood animals more, too, and after an operation on a dog or cat, you feel like you know a whole lot more and are really making a difference.

The clinic successfully operated on 163 animals that week. This will help to control the animal population on this island immensely. I learned that one female cat and her offspring, if not spade, can produce 420,000 cats in only 7 years and one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in only 6 years! By controlling the animal population we are able to ensure that there are not unwanted animals that become neglected, sick, and hungry. They are currently raising money now hoping to have yet another week long clinic in April.

I am looking forward to giving my time and learning even more.

—Kid Reporter Joey Petrila