September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, symbolized by the gold ribbon. Every year since 2019 people across the country have created fundraisers and Go Gold events in honor of children fighting cancer.
Bryce Valley has really taken this cause to heart, especially this year. Gold Month’s biggest proponent is Shayne Chynoweth, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at BVHS.
When I asked Mrs. Chynoweth why she chose Gold Month, she shared her story with me: “It has become something very near and dear to my heart!
“In June of 2015 we lost our son to a form of childhood brain cancer called DIPG,” she told me. “Before our son was diagnosed I knew nothing about the childhood cancer world. I quickly became aware of just how heartbreaking it is. Awareness is limited and funding for research and treatment is even more limited. I wanted to make more people aware of this and I wanted to do it in honor and memory of our Jace. So, I started doing things.”
Mrs. Chynoweth began to get the student body on board, including the cheerleaders, volleyball players, coaches, fans, and student council. Over the years, they have organized Gold events continuing to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer. And this year is no exception.
Going Gold This Year
BV stated on Facebook, “The student body (led by these four dynamic individuals) is going hard for Gold Month to support childhood cancer research.” The school is raising money and awareness through gold change jars in the office and dress-up days for the students. The money raised here will go to local community members currently fighting cancer and to Primary Children’s Hospital Cancer Research Center.
In addition to the change jars and dress-up days, BV also did a Gold Game for one of their home volleyball games. Mrs. Chynoweth loves organizing these events every year. She said, “There is nothing better than seeing a high school full of teenagers dressed in gold attire, cheering each other on all while raising money and awareness for something great!”
BV said the best ways for people from the community to get involved this year were to come to the Gold Game and participate, as well as send students to school with all your spare change.
Childhood cancer doesn’t just affect one child with cancer; it affects their entire family and community. The most important thing Bryce Valley is doing is creating a community of support that can remind those struggling with cancer that “no one fights alone.”
– The Byway
Feature image caption: Bryce Valley is going Gold. Join them! Courtesy BVHS.