November 6-10, 1995

LEARNING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A joint secondary school fundraiser for cancer research

The Lockerby Cancer Drivehas been an annual part of the Sudbury community calendar for more than twenty years. The idea began with Mr. Bruce Hatton, principal of Lasalle Secondary School, and Mr. Joe Drago, principal of Lockerby Composite School. Mr. Hatton, volunteer board member for the Northern Ontario Research Cancer Foundation (NORCF) wanted Sudbury students to realize the value of community volunteering and student leadership. Mr. Drago, well-known community volunteer, recognized and supported his students’ desire to fundraise for cancer research.  Together, with their respective student councils and student volunteers, these co-founders launched an evening blitz to canvas for funds to support cancer research as part of the Northern Ontario Research Cancer Foundation (NORCF), in its fight against cancer. These two secondary schools joined forces to make the idea a reality.

In preparation, Lasalle and Lockerby students with selected staff members attended a “Kick Off” at the NORCF. They participated in a motivational presentation by Mr. Gerry Lougheed Jr. (Chair of the NORCF), toured the Cancer Centre, and listened to a presentation by Dr. Amedeo Parissenti about cancer research in Sudbury.

The Organizing Group under Mr. Hatton and Mr. Drago was comprised of the following:

·       LaSalle Secondary School Student Council – under Student President

·       Jerry Geiger (Lasalle Staff Advisor)

·       Lockerby Composite School Student Council – under Student President Adil Kassam

·       Ms. Ada Della Penta (LCS Student Council Teacher Advisor) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

On November 6, 1995, approximately 200 LaSalle Secondary and Lockerby Composite School volunteer students and staff, working in coordination with the NORCF, canvassed their respective areas of the city.

November 19, 1996

Cancer Drive 2 KIDS CARING FOR KIDS

Principal Bruce Hatton transferred to Lockerby in the fall of 1996 and renewed the commitment to the volunteer cancer drive initiative. He believed strongly in the role of education in developing students as leaders in the community, leaders who were aware of their civic responsibilities not only as today’s teens, but also as future adults in their communities. For this year’s cancer drive, a volunteer contingent from Lively Secondary School joined the Lockerby student group. 

Cancer-Organizing Group under Mr. Bruce Hatton:

·       Lockerby Composite School Student Council

o    President Karim Kassam

o   Media Representative Ryan Noble

·       Laura Cotesta (Cancer Drive Spokesperson)

·       Ms. Ada Della Penta (LCS Student Council Teacher Advisor)

At this time, Lockerby students watched one of their own, Laura Cotesta, fight a personal battle with cancer. She understood the need for facilities in Northern Ontario and the importance of treatment at home, close to family and friends. The students listened to her, and so the funds raised by this year’s cancer drive were allocated to Sudbury children with cancer and their families, the Paediatric Interlink Program.

In an evening blitz in their respective areas of the city of Sudbury, more than 200 students and 24 staff members from Lockerby Composite School and Lively District Secondary School raised $10,000. The cheque was presented to Alex McCauley, Chair of NCRF and Sudbury Regional Chief of Police, at an LCS celebratory assembly.

Chief McCauley was amazed at the amount of money that was raised in such a short time and commented on the students’ passion: “. . . through their enthusiastic participation in this project, [the students] strengthened their school spirit as well as their individual pride in a job well done.” 

The cause was the motivation, and the result was volunteerism at its best: high school students committed to helping young people coping with a formidable disease. Indeed, the 1996 cancer drive was a demonstration of civic responsibility, “Kids Caring for Kids.”

In 1996, Gerry Lougheed Jr., established a bursary to recognize secondary and university students who had demonstrated a commitment to supporting cancer research in Northeastern Ontario. Lockerby’s Laura Cotesta was one of the three recipients of this award in June of the 1996-1997 academic school year. Laura appreciated such recognition: “I am proud and honoured to have been chosen to represent our school in such a productive attempt to help our community . . . This is what ‘Kids caring for Kids’ is all about. We all care for each other.”

July 22, 1997

Lockerby Loses One of Its Own

Paediatric cancer refers to children who are diagnosed with cancer from birth to early adulthood. In 1987, eight-year-old Laura Cristina Cotesta was diagnosed with an ependymal spinal cord tumour. This form of cancer is rare even today, and its limited early symptoms make it difficult to diagnose. Initially, Laura’s cancer was treated with surgery and radiation at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Still, the cancer returned five times over a ten-year-span, each time requiring extended visits to Toronto. Her family never stopped believing in her treatment, even though it created a disruption to their family life. The surgeries continued until 1997, when Laura passed away, her family and friends at her side.

After her initial diagnosis, Laura reflected, “At the age of 8, as an innocent child, I was exposed to a life that I never knew existed, but I was forced to live. . .. A tumour? . . .. This meant cancer.

    ‘’The emptiness I feel inside cannot be explained.”

In her journaling for both academic and personal purposes, Laura explored this emptiness. Yet she never lingered long on the negative, for she didn’t know how much time she had; she had too much living to do. Her faith and her family supported her determination to move forward.

Barb Gendron, executive-director of the NEORCC, viewed Laura as an inspiration, “She just had an indomitable spirit. She was always thinking positively.”

Will Stos worked with Laura on the Viking VoiceCancer Centre Anniversary Newsletter: “Laura’s determination, optimism, and emotion made the project one of my most exciting experiences. . .  Laura has touched us all at Lockerby. She was one of those people who has an aura about them which warms a room and brings a smile to your face even when you’re unhappy.”

 While Laura’s cancer was an all-consuming challenge for most of her young life, thebetterstoryis the way in which she lived her life. So many of us – family members, friends, fellow-students, teachers, administrators, healthcare professionals, neighbours – remember her as a person embracing life, rather than as a victim of cancer. In this memory, her spirit lives even today in Lockerby’s Cancer Drive.

May 5, 1998

Cancer Drive 3 KIDS CARING FOR KIDS: REMEMBERING LAURA

For students at Lockerby, this third cancer drive held personal meaning. The death of Lockerby student Laura Cotesta inspired their efforts to raise funds to support families of children and youth with paediatric cancer in Northeastern Ontario.

Twenty-six student teams of approximately 10 people each travelled door-to-door in assigned streets of Sudbury’s south end requesting donations for the Paediatric Interlink Program at the NEORCC. Principal Hatton continued to inspire the students with words of encouragement and praise, even outfitting one team with T-shirts, all of which added to the camaraderie of the evening.  The energy and enthusiasm were spreading as approximately 250 students in teacher-led teams volunteered to be part of this cancer drive.

Organizers under the leadership of LCS Principal Bruce Hatton:

·       James Eady and Erin Kowalski (LCS Student Co-chairs)

·       Ms. Ada Della Penta (LCS Staff Advisor)

·       Melissa Cotesta (Laura’s sister, LCS student, and Cancer Drive spokesperson)

·       Mr. Pat O’Malley (Principal of LoEllen Park Secondary School)

Participants:

·       Lockerby Composite School student and staff volunteers

·       LoEllen Park Secondary School students: volunteer student partners

When asked why she wanted to take on the role of Co-chair for this initiative, Erin Kowalski explained that her motivation was “to instill a sense of pride in the students, and to spark their interest in volunteering for good causes.” Co-chair James Eady wanted students to understand the immediacy of cancer in our community: “People need to know about and care about cancer. It could affect anyone.”

November 3, 1998

Cancer Drive 4 KIDS CARING FOR KIDS: REMEMBERING LAURA

For the next few years, many of the students involved in Lockerby’s cancer drive remembered Laura – as a friend, as a fellow student, as a role model of coping with adversity. With the continued motivation and support from Principal Bruce Hatton, students and staff felt strongly that they could make a difference in the lives of young people dealing with cancer through their volunteer efforts.

Cancer Drive Organizing Committee under Principal Bruce Hatton:

·       Jennifer Bagley and Courtney Morris (LCS Student Co-chairs)

·       LCS Student Council

·       Ms. Ada Della Penta (LCS Student Council Staff Advisor)

·       Melissa Cotesta (LCS student and Laura’s sister)

Energized by staff and administration, and grouped into teams, students canvassed city neighbourhoods, wearing official Northern Cancer Research Foundation badges to identify themselves, carrying official receipt books, and engaging the community to support children and their families coping with cancer.  Their one evening effort raised “$13,000, bringing their four-year total contribution to $42,000: Laura would be proud.”

Maureen Lacroix, Chair of the Northern Cancer Research Foundation, spoke of the foundation’s link with Lockerby students: “Thanks to the united efforts of the students, this spirited undertaking is one which carries Laura’s memory forward, touching the lives of those she may not have even met and benefitting families who must deal with the harsh reality of having a child diagnosed with cancer.”

November 4, 1999

Cancer Drive 5 KIDS CARING FOR KIDS: REMEMBERING LAURA 

Student organizers expanded their community outreach this year, approaching various businesses for donations and leaving coin jars at business locations for the public to contribute even before the evening of the drive. The response from south-end businesses was positive, as the business community wanted to be part of the volunteer efforts of these young people.

Co-organizer Jessica Cordona emphasized the value of LCS student involvement: “Students often get stereotyped, . . . but when people see students out in their neighbourhood, working hard, going door-to-door for a good cause, it raises awareness both for the cause and for the responsibility students have.”

Cancer Committee under Principal Mr. Bruce Hatton:

o   Melissa Cotesta and Jessica Cardona (LCS Student Co-Chairs)

o   Lockerby Composite Student Council

o   Ms. Ada Della Penta (LCS Student Council Staff Advisor)

o   Mr. Mike Cole (LCS Staff)

o   Ms. Laura Stanyon (LCS Staff)

o   Mr. Dave Bertrim (LCS Staff)

While students had set a goal of $10,000, they collected a total of $20,000 which was given to the Interlink Paediatric Oncology Program. The committee extended its thank you to all who had made the evening such a success: over 325 students, teacher team leaders, money counters, parents, custodians, and Sudburians. The community was caring for its families, especially children!