For Erin Craig, living with cancer is a little more bearable because of the efforts of his school and classmates.
Last year Craig was diagnosed with B-diffused lymphoma and missed most of the spring because he was at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
He was also selected as a Make a Wish recipient and he and his family went to Rome, Italy as a result.
Sharon Sheehan, now in her seventh year as school counselor for Harrington Middle School in Mount Laurel, said there are about 550 students in the school.
All of Craig’s classmates volunteered to raise money for the foundation that bears his name. The foundation is aimed at defraying transportation and food costs incurred by his family going back and forth to the hospital.
The most recent event was a lawn tractor fundraiser race. Neighbors decorated their lawn tractors to look like a pirate ship, Santa Claus and his sleigh, as well as other vehicles.
The fire company came to lead the procession, which started when Craig waved the starting flag. Teachers and Craig also gave the award for best design of lawn tractor.
$5,600 was raised in that one afternoon.
Vendors gave products for a Chinese auction as well as for a traditional auction. Some donated pizza, moon bounces, and arts and crafts.
Sheehan said she got a grant for the Mount Laurel public education fund and used it to buy t-shirts, promote the event, and provide healthy snacks.
She is really proud of the Craig’s classmates.
“I want to commend them because they understand about giving back to somebody that they’re a classmate with,” Sheehan said, noting the “good attitude” from the class of 2016 and admiring the way they look out for each other.
Eighth grader Taylor Kane made and sold bracelets to make money for Craig. She also worked at the tables selling tickets.
“I think that all the people that came and people that donated tried really hard and we worked together as a school because students should always be there for each other and I felt that we did that well,” she said.
While she does not know Craig well she sat next to him in class and sympathized with him after he was diagnosed.
“I knew that I could be a friend to him and help,” Kane said.
Ian Wasserman, another eighth grader, designed his lawn tractor and participated in the race. He also bought tickets to support the cause and played the “Star Spangles Banner” on saxophone at the event.
“I think that we did a very good job,” Wasserman said. “I’m very proud of all the people who did go and participate.”
Craig, a straight A student in eighth grade, was pleased at the turnout.
“It was good,” he said. “It was nice to know that people care and were nice enough to donate money to my foundation.”
