Community Corner

LETTER: Kids Can Make a Difference

North Street School student asks for help in fight against cancer.

To the Editor:

My name is Jack Bieren.  I go to the .  When I was a little kid (five years old) I asked my Mom an important question, “Why are we alive?’ 

My Mom said, “We are alive to make a difference in the world—we are alive to help people.” 

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 I decided to make a difference in the world by helping people with cancer. 

I joined Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.  This is my fourth year participating.  So far I raised over $6,000.  Last year I walked over six hours

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to help raise money to find a cure for cancer.  Some people think that kids can't make a difference in the world, but they’re wrong.  I’m eight years old and I’m trying to help people.

 

Every year I choose somebody to walk for.  Last year I walked for my friend,

Katie Diamond.  She’s just a kid and she got cancer.  She had surgery that lasted twelve hours long.  She’s doing very good now and just started college.  I walked for my kindergarten teacher, Patricia Elwell because she survived cancer.  One year I walked for all the people that died from cancer.  I felt so sad that they died before a cure was found.

This year I got the saddest news of all.  My Nonnie, she’s my grandmother, just got breast cancer.  I told Nonnie, “I’m a five star general at war with cancer.” 

I started my own team this year called the Cancer Fighters.  Nonnie has to fight cancer now and my team is an army for Nonnie.  We’re going to raise as much money as we can so the scientists can work hard and find a cure for cancer.  Maybe some day I’ll help find the cure.

I have a message for all kids.  I know you’re busy with sports, video games,

and playing with your friends, but if you want to make a difference in the world—

you can!  You can help people and change the world at the same time.  Some day when we’re big maybe cancer won’t exist any more because we all got together and helped raise money to cure cancer.

If you want to find out how to make a difference by helping people with cancer you should call me.  I’ll tell you all about Relay for Life.  It’s a wicked fun event that you can do with your whole family and your friends.

If you want more information or want to donate to my team, Cancer Fighters, please contact me or my Mom, Karen Bieren.

Jack Bieren
Tewksbury


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