Student government walking to fight cancer for the Jimmy Fund

By Malikai Haskins, Staff Writer

September 24, 2024

BOSTON- Students at Rockland High School are diligently preparing for an important upcoming event, the Jimmy Fund Walk, scheduled for October 6.

“The Jimmy fund walk is for cancer patients and to support cancer institutions,” said senior Jessica Gillooly.

The Student Government Council selects a specific fundraiser to support various non-profit organizations each year.

Ms. Kaitlyn Diver, a science teacher and advisor of the SGC, said, “We’re actually going to go volunteer so instead of walking kids will be handing out, we’ll have a station and they'll be handing out drinks, snacks and they’ll encourage people as they walk.” 

The anticipated walk is set to be held on October 6 in Boston.

Freshman Delilah Swan, an active member of the SGC and one of the many student government council participants in the volunteer-run “hydration station” said, “I will be working at the walk as one of the volunteer members and we're going to be having a  hydration station and hyping up the walkers.”

The student government council has previously selected many fundraisers, including the Walk for Inclusion, the Special Olympics, and the Child Cancer Walk.

Swan has seen many walks before the Jimmy Fund Walk. 

“We had one last year at the school it was the walk for the Special Olympics and people with Down Syndrome and people with health disorders. We had a bunch of people come with special needs and they had the times of their lives. It was so much fun” said Swan.

RHS has organized this fundraising event to provide financial support to the Dana Farber Institutions.

Ms. Kirsten Bartoloni, an advisor of the SGC and an English teacher, explains that the volunteer numbers are growing. 

“This year about 20 student council kids will be attending the Jimmy Fund walk as volunteers. They will be at a refueling station distributing water and snacks to those walking or running at the Jimmy Fund event,” said Ms. Bartoloni.

Rockland Middle and High Schools hope more and more people will sign up, as this is necessary to raise funds for the well-being of all cancer patients.

To register for the walk, visit: https://www.jimmyfund.org/events/cancer-fundraising-events/boston-marathon-jimmy-fund-walk/

To visit the Dana Farber website, visit: https://www.dana-farber.org/