Duck Duck Goose: MLEC Takes On Pediatric Cancer
For the first time in MLEC’s history, the school held a rubber duck competition in the month of September to support Pediatric Cancer Awareness. Ms. Cordova, the activities director for MLEC, came up with this idea to combine a trend with a meaningful cause that could help children that need it the most.
“I know that with jeep cars, they duck them to build awareness and spread kindness, so I thought that since the color for Pediatric Cancer Awareness is gold and rubber ducks are a popular kids toy, why not get our students and teachers involved,” explains Ms. Cordova.
The way the competition works is that students can buy a rubber duck for two dollars, then they can give it to a teacher of their choosing, whichever teacher receives the most ducks by the end earns a $50 gift card. The proceeds raised from the event will go to the organization Live Like Bella which supports children battling cancer and their families.
This gave the students a good cause to rally behind while also allowing them to show support to the teachers they appreciate. The competition went so well that the initial 200 ducks bought for the event were sold out by the first week of selling. As a result, the school purchased 200 more ducks for the following week and is planning on doing this again in October for Breast Cancer Awareness with villain themed ducks for the spooky season.
“I bought five ducks because we need to make sure the next generation is safe and healthy. We need to make sure they’re able to grow up and live life without the fear of dying of cancer. I also heard that the winning teacher got a reward and I love my teachers so the teacher I appreciate the most I wanted to give them a duck so they could have a chance at winning,” said junior Brandon Clark.
The nonprofit organization focused on childhood cancer, Live Like Bella, was founded in 2013 in memory of Bella Rodriguez-Torres, a 10 year old who lost her 6 year battle with cancer. The foundation offers financial support such as mortgage/rent payments, medical co-pays, medications, groceries, and many more expenses for families in need.
They have also funded 75 research studies like the University of Miami study investigating a potential treatment for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, that have totaled over 40 million dollars that goes to a search for a cure. In the event that a child unfortunately passes from the disease they even assist with the cost of memorial services.
“Anything that works at our school for a great cause is worth trying, so I’d be more than happy to share this idea with any school that would be willing to hop on board. The more that we get involved, the more funds we can raise to actually make a difference,” said Ms. Cordova.
With strong student engagement and a strong cause backing it Ms. Cordova hopes this competition could become a recurring fundraiser here at the den that continues to bring students and teachers together to fight against something bigger than ourselves.
