Polson students rally around cancer survivor

By MICHELLE LOVATO

Lake County Leader

A happy chant pierced through the midday fog on the track of Linderman Elementary School March 27.

“Let’s go Co-ole, let’s go!”

The entire third grade at Linderman Elementary School chanted as they jumped up and down at the excitement they’d anticipated for weeks.

During their lunchtime recess, the entire grade walked around the Linderman track to honor and celebrate cancer survivors and express their inspiring support to cancer victims and survivors.

Less than an hour later, the fourth-grade class did the same thing.

The Recess Relay is an American Cancer Society fundraiser designed to bring awareness and financial support to victims of cancer, and the Linderman Elementary School family has two cancer survivors they celebrate every day. 

Cole Whitworth, who is now eight-years old, was diagnosed with brain cancer as a five-year-old Cherry Valley Elementary School kindergartener. 

The Polson boy and his family were faced with the discovery of a brain tumor in the three years ago that needed immediate care.

For 18 months Cole and his family commuted to Spokane for treatment, staying at the Ronald McDonald House while away from home.

His mother, Cecile Whitworth, said her son rang the bell in Spokane signifying his cancer treatment was complete on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2013.

Now it’s time for Cole, back in Polson, to move on with his active, healthy life.

“All he wants to do is go to school, live life and be with his buddies,” Cecile Whitworth said. “All I want is for him to know that he belongs and that he’s still a normal little boy.”

The treatment taught the family to cherish their time together.

“We are more appreciative of normal life,” Cecile Whitworth said. “We just go to work and school and go home. The treatment divided all of us from each other.”

Special education teacher Karen Reeves, wore a bright purple American Cancer Society survivor’s shirt along with Cole.

Reeves survived breast cancer, something she originally faced in 2001, then faced again in 2013.

Living life after surviving cancer “is like a secret some people know and some people don’t know. I appreciate every small thing in life. Just waking up. It’s all a gift,” Reeves said.

Reeves said she doesn’t have time to dwell on why she got cancer. 

“The key is not being bitter,” Reeves said. 

Now, 14 years after her original diagnosis, Reeves said the experience of having cancer and surviving it served as a blessing.

“I don’t let the small things bother me. The drama. I am grateful every day,” she said. 

Before their walk began, Cole, who was at the head of the group, carried a large poster of himself during treatment and wore a survivor’s smile as he led the group with his survivor’s lap.

Reeves, always the teacher, followed the group. American Cancer Society Community Manager Carly Holman worked with volunteers, including long-time school supporter Desiree Alexander, to set up the event.

About two weeks before the walk, every classroom in the school participated in a variety of awareness and fundraising activities designed to culminate in the walk. 

Students participated as an entire student body, in “change wars” collecting extra coins to be used as a large donation. 

For a $1 donation, students got to wear hats one day, a particular delight to students who are normally banned from headwear. On another day, students made about 300 luminarias that were set up along the track and honored a cancer victim or survivor, or showcased what students learned during the pre-walk education period.

The goal of the American Cancer Society education program is to teach students about simple, life-altering choices they can make that might save their lives in the future.

Holman said students learn about how to reduce their chances of cancer by staying away from smoking, using sunscreen and eating healthy foods.

This year’s adult American Cancer Society Relay for Life is July 10 at Ronan High School. 

Another Relay for Life event will be held in Bigfork Oct. 2. The Relay for Life is a 24-hour walk intended to remind participants and onlookers that cancer claims lives at all hours of the day.  Money raised by Linderman Elementary School students will stay in Lake County for future cancer-related needs.