Students from Arcadia Unified School District’s six elementary schools are joining together to fight against cancer by raising money and walking the Camino Grove Elementary School track on Friday, June 3, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Camino Grove Elementary School parents. Bottom Row: from left to right - Kristine Hannibal, Erin Slessor (PTA President), Paulette Yao, Gina Kitsuse, Jonie Tsuji (ACS Mini-Relay Coordinator) Top Row: Darlene Solorio, Ann Olsen, Soledad King, Leticia Barrios, and Krisi Heltsley (Photo by Helen Conroy)
Camino Grove Elementary School is hosting the American Cancer Society‘s “Mini-Relay,” which is an abbreviated version of the ACS’s national signature activity, Relay for Life. Students will be collecting donations prior to the event and will walk the track as classes and/or as individuals at the event.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to make an impact in the community as well as become knowledgeable about cancer,” said ACS Mini-Relay Coordinator, Jonie Tsuji, a Camino Grove parent, who has a strong personal interest in being the impetus behind the event, as a two-year survivor of breast cancer. “The students feel good about themselves knowing they are doing something to help others.”
Jonie Tsuji with sons, Kai, age 5, and Evan, age 8 (Photo by Helen Conroy)
The ACS “Mini-Relay” will be a fun-filled and education-packed event, offering “child friendly” activities that revolve around cancer awareness and prevention. All money raised by students will be added to donations collected at the community-wide Arcadia ACS Relay For Life, to be held at Santa Anita Race Track on June 25 – 26, 2011.
See the Arcadia Mini-Relay for Life web site to find out how to become involved, or e-mail Jonie Tsuji at jonie.tsuji@verizon.net or Helen Conroy at hconroy@ausd.net.
The following are writings submitted from Camino Grove:
(One in a Series) From Cancer Patient to Cancer Advocate (What led Camino Grove Parent to become Arcadia ACS Mini-Relay for Life Coordinator) By Jonie Tsuji Winter Break 2010. My 7-year old son Evan was sitting with his friend watching TV. A commercial came on for a children’s hospital with a young boy and a famous actress. My son’s friend laughed and said, “Hey, he’s bald! He’s funny looking!” I was shocked and hurt. After his friend had left, I talked to Evan about the incident. I asked him, “You do know why that little boy was bald don’t you?” His simple response was “Yes. He has cancer.” As his mom, I was struck by how much he had to grow up by seeing me go through treatment for cancer. Most 7-year olds don’t know what cancer is, much less know how treatment affects a person. I was taken back to the day both of my sons (my younger son was 3 ½ at the time) saw me for the first time with my newly shaved head, (after my hair had started falling out, I elected to have my head shaved). I took my wig off and their reaction was, “It’s OK Mommy, you still look the same.” What brave boys they were. If they could look at their bald mom and stay strong without a single teardrop, I could handle anything—and that is how I approached my treatments. So began my journey with cancer and my relationship with the American Cancer Society. When the Chairman of the Arcadia Relay for Life, Carter Spruill, told me he wanted to bring Relay to the schools, I jumped at the chance to spearhead the event. I didn’t realize how important this event was until that fateful day last December. I want kids to know what cancer is, how they can prevent it, but most of all, to understand and show some empathy when they see someone who is bald and going through treatment. I started at Camino Grove because that is my children’s school. I met with Dr. Brook Reynolds to see if we could hold the ACS event at Camino Grove. He agreed and discussed the event at a principals meeting to see if the other elementary schools would like to be included. Not only did the five other principals enthusiastically agree, they offered to rotate hosting the event each year. Next, Dr. Reynolds reached out to his faculty to get involved. “Everyone in this room has been affected by cancer,” he said at a faculty meeting. At the same meeting, he shared how both of his parents had died from cancer. After that, Camino Grove parent and teacher committees formed. I am very fortunate to have some of the school’s amazing “power moms” – talented, organized, committed, and energetic go-getters on my committee who are full of fabulous connections and resources in Arcadia’s generous and caring business community. At the first committee meeting, at least one teacher from each grade level attended, ready to give his/her full support in promoting the event, and helping plan and host activities at the Mini-Relay. When I look back to the day that I received my life-changing breast cancer diagnosis (April 7, 2009 – the day before my 9th wedding anniversary), I realize how much I have grown and changed. My breast cancer is what’s known as ‘triple negative,’ a rare and aggressive type that does not have any drugs that I can take to stave off recurrence post-chemo treatment. (Only 15% of breast cancers are triple negative – which means they do not have the typical receptors that fuel breast cancer – estrogen, progesterone, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). I’ve learned to ‘live in the moment’ and take it ‘one day at a time’– things I had no time to do before. The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a huge support for cancer survivors and their loved ones. Every dollar raised in this Mini-Relay will go to support ACS programs and fund much needed research. I have become a strong ACS advocate – in addition to participating in the Arcadia Relay for Life on June 25-26, 2011 (at the Santa Anita Race Track), I am a Reach to Recovery volunteer – helping support newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors. Since the American Cancer Society is the “official sponsor of birthdays,” I want to help them reach that goal by putting an end to cancer. Won’t you help me? Join the ACS Mini-Relay for Life at Camino Grove on Friday, June 3rd from 3-6PM, or come out and participate in the Arcadia Relay for Life – www.relayforlife.org/arcadiaca. Let’s strive for the day when no child has to grow up fast because of seeing someone he loves ill from cancer.
(2nd in a Series) Helen’s Story – finding the phantom brake pedal Camino Grove Teacher shares why she’s involved with Arcadia ACS Mini-Relay for Life, Set for June 3, 2011 By Helen Simmons Conroy
Do you ever reach for the phantom brake pedal when someone else is driving the car, frantically pumping air with your right foot? As a confirmed control freak, I am guilty of doing this. I love to be in charge (one reason why I love being a teacher).
Thus, when I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2009, it put a kink in my controlling existence. At first I dealt with my cancer by trying to control it. That didn’t work as the cancer decided to spread. Facing double mastectomy/reconstruction surgery, I contemplated pushing the operation off until winter break, to reduce time away from my students. But then my daughter, Lauren, (who was 20 at the time), made me get real. She exclaimed exasperatingly, “Mom, if you die, you won’t have a class to teach!” I scheduled surgery for the first available date and made long-term sub plans for 8 weeks. Luckily, through it all, I had wonderful support from my principal, Brook Reynolds, fellow teachers, students, parents, and my fabulous substitute teacher, Tammy Harvey. Third grade teacher, Lori Rozelle, banded teachers together to give my family a month of “Meals-on-Wheels.” My family, friends, neighbors, doctors, and home support nurse helped me more than they will ever know. Talking with cancer survivors who had moved on to lead positive, fulfilling lives also comforted me tremendously. At 50, my Irish stubbornness was as strong as ever and drove me to fight for full recovery with all my might. I was determined to survive so that I could erase two thoughts that had haunted my mind since the day I was diagnosed: the fear my children had of losing their mother and the fear I had not only of losing my life, but losing my life with them. The 8 weeks of recovering brought me new hope with each new day of healing. I returned to teaching and life went on.
My fight with cancer didn’t change everything. I didn’t stop pushing the phantom brake pedal when I wasn’t driving a car, but I did find a renewed joy in doing things, both small and grand, that make a difference in the quality of life. I started using my fine crystal “just because,” and began traveling more with my family. Of course, teaching remained one of my wonderful passions. And when Camino Grove parent and fellow cancer survivor, Jonie Tsuji, asked for teacher support in hosting the American Cancer Society (ACS) Mini-Relay for Life, I jumped at the chance to participate. Being on the committee with Jonie has given me a great opportunity to make a positive difference as a cancer survivor, promoting cancer education, awareness, and fundraising for research, within my school community. It has also allowed me to show kids that if someone they care about ends up getting cancer, be it a parent, grandma, uncle, or teacher, that person cannot only survive, but go on to live a full, happy, and long life. Today, I am asking Arcadia elementary school parents, students, and the Arcadia community to join Jonie and me in supporting the ACS Mini-Relay, to be held at Camino Grove Elementary School on June 3, 2011, from 3-6 p.m. Help us get closer to finding a cure! For more information on the event e-mail Jonie Tsuji at jonie.tsuji@verizon.net or me at hconroy@ausd.net.
(3rd in a Series)
Teacher rumored dead speaks out that life can go on after Cancer — calls on Arcadia Elementary Schools to be involved with the American Cancer Society’s Mini-Relay for Life – coming June 3 by Helen Simmons Conroy
The other day, I was walking my 4th grade class to lunch when a student from another 4th grade class walked up to me and exclaimed, “Mrs. Conroy, my brother at Dana told me a rumor was going around there that you were dead!” After having my breath temporarily sucked out of me by the statement, I regrouped. “Tell your brother to set them straight at Dana Middle School, would you please?” I requested. “As you can see, I am far from dead!”
A middle school rumor had declared me dead and that made me sad, as well as angry. After calming down, I realized that rumor had been created and spread by ignorance, fear, and a lack of awareness that life can go on after getting cancer. The incident was but another reason why I knew I did the right thing in getting involved with hosting the American Cancer Society’s upcoming Mini-Relay for Life. I had to get the word out to young kids that just because you get cancer, it doesn’t mean your life is over. Don’t get me wrong. I am no Pollyanna. I saw both my mom and my sister die from cancer. However, in both cases, the cancer was not detected early. It is part of my mission as a teacher and two-year survivor of breast cancer, to show by example that life can go on after getting cancer. Early detection and treatment are key, of course, as well as a fighting attitude and healthy living habits. I also want to share that, believe or not, there are benefits gained from the horrendous experience. Those who survive take with them a unique appreciation for life, a second chance to make each moment count, not stress on the little things, and focus on soaking in the things that really have meaning – your kids and loved ones, and reaching out to others to make a difference.
I ask Arcadia elementary school parents and students to show your support for the importance of cancer education by being involved with the American Cancer Society’s Mini-Relay for life, being hosted for the first time ever by Arcadia School District’s elementary schools. The event will be held June 3, from 3 – 6 p.m., at Camino Grove Elementary School. For more information, contact ACS Mini-Relay Coordinator, Jonie Tsuji at jonie.tsuji@verizon.net, or you can contact me at hconroy@ausd.net, (as I am not by any means dead!).
(4th in a Series) Dealing with two kinds of Pink A final reason why a Camino Grove teacher got involved with Arcadia ACS Mini-Relay for Life coming June 3 By Helen Simmons Conroy
Okay, by now you’re probably sick of reading about my various reasons for becoming involved with the upcoming American Cancer Society’s Mini-Relay for Life, hosted by Camino Grove Elementary School on June 3. You might think I am just trying to be some sort of noble “goodie two shoes” who has nothing better to do than inundate you with my stories.
However, I beg of you to follow me this one last time, as I share the biggest reason why I got involved. I guarantee my honesty in unveiling this largest motivation will dispel any myths of me being a “goodie-two shoes” that might have started to formulate in your minds. The biggest (not so noble) reason why I got involved with the ACS Mini-Relay was to distract myself from focusing too much on the possibility of losing my job. I am one of the 65.57 teachers throughout Arcadia School District who have been “pink slipped” due to budget cuts. I felt that if I became a part of this cause I would not be tempted to bathe in the depression that threatened to engulf me the last time I was given a lay-off notice by the district, two years ago. Luckily, that year, I was able to save my job by the skin of my teeth due to caring parents who contributed to AEF and caring teachers who voted for a slight pay reduction. Our district was also not as bad off financially then as it is now.
There you have it. I needed something to take my mind off of being pink slipped. Go ahead and make your judgments about this selfish motivation. But also know that I really do care about the cause. As a breast cancer survivor, I wear my pink ribbon proudly (pink represents breast cancer/brown represents lung cancer, Kelly green represents kidney cancer, etc.). I have committed to promoting cancer awareness and education at my elementary school, have dispelled cancer myths and rumors (having cancer is not an automatic death sentence and no, I am not dead, Dana Middle School), and am living proof that you can go on to lead a happy, healthy life as a cancer survivor.
Lastly, I offer this perspective as a cancer survivor, in my final plea for your involvement. Getting cancer stops you from taking life for granted and forces you to look at the “big picture” – that without life, you have nothing – no children to hug, no husband to kiss, no corgi to walk, no sister to call, no students to love and teach. Arcadia elementary school parents and students, remember the “big picture.” Our district needs your help to fight pink slips, but our world also needs your help to fight cancer. Support the upcoming American Cancer Society’s Mini-Relay. Get involved because you care about fighting cancer and stopping it before it touches you or someone you love, if it hasn’t already. The ACS Mini-Relay will take place on Camino Grove Elementary School’s field, June 3, from 3 – 6 p.m. For more information on the event, e-mail ACS Mini-Relay Event Coordinator, Jonie Tsuji at jonie.tsuji@verizon.net, or me at hconroy@ausd.net.