Raising Awareness for Ali

National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The YMCA of the Suncoast Before and Afterschool program at Lake St. George Elementary honored a fellow student, Ali, today for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. More than a year ago the 10-year-old was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. After chemotherapy Ali is now able to attend school and the YMCA program. This is where she wants to spend her time. 
Her YMCA family at Lake St. George Elementary surprised her today wearing yellow, raising banners and cheering for her as she arrived at school. Her biggest cheerleader and mentor has been the program's assistant director Deven Filer. Deven is a brain tumor survivor and Ali’s family describe him as her guardian angel. 
The students who attend the YMCA at Largo Middle and Leila Davis Elementary wore yellow today in honor of Ali. They have also asked for donations to assemble children’s chemo care packages. Once completed the care packages will be delivered to a local hospital in order to help children in need.

For the next week, the YMCA of the Suncoast Afterschool programs in Largo and Leila Davis are asking for donations of various items that would be beneficial to a child during this time:

-coloring books and crayons -soft fuzzy socks

-activity or puzzle books -colorful fun scarfs or children’s hats

-note pads and colorful pens -fun twisty straws

-stickers -small tissue pouches

-small simple craft kits -antibacterial hand wipes

-travel size games -ring pops, gum, mints

-puzzles or other small toys -other fun candy that will not melt

-nail polish kits for girls -small hand lotions

-small cars or trucks for boys -small hand sanitizers

-small stuffed animals -chap sticks

The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) states in the U.S., 15,780 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivorship issues, and – importantly – to help raise funds for research and family support.

To donate to the care packages please call 727 467 9622 and ask for the Y’s Before and Afterschool care program.