Students raise thousands for cancer research
By Liz Tufts
ltufts@abc6.com
They only had six weeks, but a handful of high school students in Rhode Island managed to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research.
It’s all part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year campaign in honor of a local teen who has won the battle.
The students just wrapped up a grueling six-week campaign to help raise money for the society. From hosting lip-synch battles to comedy shows and other events, the kids managed to raise 94,000 dollars in just 42 days.
Maddie Renaud, a senior at Cranston West, raised 37,000 dollars on her own, taking home the title of student of the year.
"This is the most fulfilling experience I’ve had in my life," says Maddie.
The candidates raised the money in honor of Emma Katzan. The Barrington teen was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014. Today, she is cancer-free and says every penny these students raised will help others win the battle too.
"Because of these people, I’m still standing here today, and one day, my children won’t know what cancer is," says Emma.
All the candidates have been touched in come way by cancer. For Maddie, her campaign was in honor of her grandfather.
"I just hope we can save more lives," she adds.
The teens proved anyone can help–all you have to do is put your mind to it.
The Student of the Year was awarded a 5,000 dollar scholarship to college.
Maddie has dreams of someday working in pediatric oncology.
© WLNE-TV 2016
