Cancer Club Promotes Kindness

The Carmel High School Cancer Awareness Club ran a districtwide activity for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September. The club, which has more than 80 members, created an event called "Cards for Kids by Kids."Club members from the high school visited George Fischer Middle School and each of the district's three elementary schools and encouraged the students to make cards for children who are sick. The kids were provided with various craft materials to make cards, which were then collected and will be mailed out to various hospitals. All kids were given kindness glow bracelets and stickers at the end of the activity.   "At the elementary and middle schools, we did not mention cancer but instead focused on acts of kindness and compassion," said Club Advisor Heather Murphy, a high school English teacher. "The CHS Cancer Awareness Club members went into all of the fourth- grade classes and gave a small presentation on how to make others feel better when they feel sick or sad." 
Students at Carmel High School were also invited to participate.  For years, the club has had a booth in the high school cafeteria for students to make well-wishes cards for kids with cancer and the club sends them off to the hospitals. This year, club members wanted to make it a districtwide event, but de-emphasized cancer so as not to upset younger children.