Community Corner

Draw 4 a Cure Raises Almost $2,000 for St. Jude's

The art show and children's fair took place at Mother Teresa Regional School on Saturday

Artists of all ages and skill levels gathered at the on Saturday for Draw 4 a Cure, a fund raiser in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Craft tables were set up around the gymnasium at the school, along with a face painting station, a bouncy castle and children's games. Several artists, including a woman who redesigns old shoes and a 5-year-old boy with a knack for painting, had pieces of their work on display for an art show.

"The idea was to combine raising money and the arts," said event coordinator and Mother Teresa art teacher Connie Jamele. They also added some carnival elements, like the bouncy house, to keep the children entertained.

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The event used to be an annual one, explained Jamele, a cancer survivor herself, but plans haven't worked out for the last few years. This year, however, Jamele said she felt motivated by young writer and three time cancer survivor, Mya Lin Terry.

In 2007, Mya, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). Two years later, she was diagnosed with Secondary AML at which point she received a stem cell transplant that was unsuccessful. In 2011, she relapsed with AML and went regularly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee for treatment.

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Mya was declared cancer-free over the holidays, and returned home to her family in Ocean Township, where she lives just like a normal 9-year-old girl, except for her regular doctor's visits. Mya wrote a book while in the hospital about her experience receiving a feeding tube and published it, and had the book on display at Draw 4 a Cure.

"The whole thing was really inspired by Mya. She still goes to St. Jude's about every two weeks and they pay for everything," Jamele said.

Those who attended Draw 4 a Cure paid $10 to get in and could also purchase the artwork on display and treats for the kids. Overall, Jamele said, the event raised nearly $2,000, all of which will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.


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