Emma showing off her Keychains 4 CURE Display to support childhood cancer research funding.
By: Emma Wernecke
I first became aware of CURE Childhood Cancer when an 8-year-old little girl from my community, Mary Evelyn King, died of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. I read her story in the newspaper and admired her courageous words upon hearing of her relapse, “Cancer, I’ve beat you once and I’m gonna beat you again in the blink of your evil eye. “ Her heartbreaking story led me to learn much more about the lack of research and funding for childhood cancer.
This past year, our community grieved again as inspiring teenager Madeline McTier, an ACE cheerleader and mutual friend, died from the complications of brain cancer. Most recently, a precious 6-year-old in our community, Katheryn Brezina, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma and thrown into the intimidating whirlwind of cancer treatments.
I am 16 years old, and I have now known seven kids, just in my own personal world, who have struggled with and/or died from childhood cancer. There is something desperately wrong with that, and I feel driven to do whatever I can to make a difference.
After reaching out to representatives at CURE to learn more about what I could do, I participated in Lauren’s Run last year and raised more than $1300 with the generous donations of family and friends. This year I have created a school team to run with me and plan to significantly boost the fundraising goal and hope to inspire others to join in on the cause.
Last summer, I represented my school as Miss Starr’s Mill’s Outstanding Teen in the Miss Georgia Pageant, part of the Miss America Organization. While there and throughout the year as Miss Starr’s Mill, I promoted my platform of childhood cancer and took every opportunity to raise awareness about the need for more research and funding. Starr’s Mill wants to continue the effort to support this cause, so I am creating “Panthers Against Childhood Cancer,” a student-run club that will organize fundraising projects. This summer, I am participating in the pageant again as Miss Peachtree City’s Outstanding Teen and hope to spread even more awareness for the cause to a large and receptive audience.
Recently, I created a business called Keychains 4 CURE. I make and sell trendy and functional key chains in a variety of patterns with all profits going to CURE. Over the past couple of months, just from selling at school and special events, I have sold over 400 key chains. I am now expanding my operation because some businesses in the community are interested in carrying them in their stores.
It absolutely breaks my heart to know that there are kids who do not get to experience the childhood joys that most of us take for granted. I would love to see the day that the gold ribbon for childhood cancer awareness is as universally known and impactful as the pink ribbon has been for breast cancer awareness. I truly believe that day is coming.
