The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: COURTESY OF MAGGIE MERROW MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Senior Maggie Merrow lead the effort to make a dream come true for one of her students.

Many students participated in Relay For Life this past weekend, which helped raise money for the American Cancer Society. While students were busy walking the track, the Rollins Community had their own fundraiser in mind.

Senior Maggie Merrow, who is a student teacher at Keith Elementary school, put together a bake sale at the women's soccer games, and a car wash with the help of her Chi Omega sorority sisters and the ATO pledge class to help raise money for Morgan Cox, raising over $1,000 towards a Maltese puppy. Morgan's Make-A-Wish is to have the same puppy as Jessica Simpson

Morgan is a fifth grade student that Miss Merrow met at the beginning of her student teaching career earlier this semester. Maggie soon found out that Morgan had been diagnosed with brain cancer and would sadly have to begin chemotherapy much sooner than anticipated. By helping Maggie make phone calls to close friends and contacts, including Give Kids the World, Disney management, and the Office of Community Engagement, Morgan is slowing coming closer and closer to her Make-A-Wish dreams.

According to the American Cancer Society:

Brain cancer is the leading cause of death from childhood cancers among persons up to 19 years.

It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males ages 20-39.

Is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women ages 20-39."

About 18,300 Americans will be diagnosed with cancerous brain, spinal cord, and other nervous system tumors this year.

Brain tumors can develop at any age, but they develop most often in children younger than 10-years-old, and in adults 30- to 50-years-old.

Cancerous brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common cancers affecting children. They make up about 21 percent of all cancerous childhood tumors.

Not only has Rollins aided to Morgan, but also her own elementary school has been taking donations and has raised over $500! If you would like to make a donation please contact Maggie at MMERROW@Rollins.edu. Together we can make a difference one child at a time.

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