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Chesapeake students taking laps for Lymphoma

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by LaSalle Blanks, 13News

13NEWS / WVEC.com

Posted on February 24, 2010 at 4:08 PM

Updated Wednesday, Feb 24 at 6:31 PM

CHESAPEAKE -- Sometimes, tears at a pep rally are a good thing. 

Students at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake are teaching everyone a lesson in strength, courage, love and support.  These have been tough times at the school because lymphoma has touched many people there.

The principal's husband died from it; a teacher's 10-year-old daughter survived it; now, a classmate's father is battling it.

That's a lot for young students to absorb.

"Yes it is," said Meredith Hanlet, who is a member of the Student Council Association. "It's tough to think how you can get through this, but to do this for them, it means a lot."

The SCA decided to put on a walk-a-thon to raise money for research for a cure.  "Laps for Lymphoma"  will take place Saturday, March 13, at 5pm at the school's football field.  Students will walk 4 miles, which equals one foot for each person lost to lymphoma in 2008: 20,510 people.

The idea comforts members of the Grassfield community who have been personally touched by lymphoma.

"It's just a great high school everyone rallies around each other," Miller said.

His father is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lymphoma a month and a half ago.

"They are an amazing group of young people and I am very touched by their support," said principal Carolyn Bernard.

"Laps for Lymphoma" is a labor of love.

"People need to back up their friends and family who are suffering from it and really make a difference," said Taylor McBride, a student at the Grassfield, "and I think support is the most important part."

 

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