Lockerby Composite School cancer drive takes place October 25th

The Lockerby Composite School “Remembering Laura Cotesta, Kids Caring for Kids” Cancer Drive takes place on Thursday, October 25, 2012. Some 700 students and staff will canvass door-to-door from 5 pm to 9 pm to raise funds for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation. Students will be wearing appropriate nametags and will hand out receipts for all donations.

This year marks the 17th anniversary of Lockerby’s tribute to former student Laura Cotesta who left the school with a legacy. Laura started this campaign while she was attending Lockerby, but also while she was fighting her own battle with cancer. She saw cancer only as an obstacle in life, one that she was determined to overcome and live through.

“Lockerby Composite School has kept Laura in the hearts and minds of all students by fulfilling her dream of continuing the Cancer Drive,” said Lockerby Composite School Principal Heather Gaffney. To date, the school has raised $550,000 for pediatric cancer care in the north.

“We raised $50,000 last year and our goal is to match that amount this year,” said Principal Gaffney. “If we reach this goal, we will have raised $600,000 for the Northern Cancer Foundation in 17 years. What a tribute to our school and our community.”

Laura viewed cancer as an opportunity – an opportunity to raise awareness and to fund a pediatric cancer care facility in Sudbury. Tired of traveling to Toronto for treatments and unwilling to wait for someone else to act on this, Laura took up the challenge.

Laura and a group of friends founded the “Kids Caring for Kids” Cancer Drive. After realizing her dream of graduating from high school, Laura left Lockerby and subsequently passed away. Her quiet courage and perseverance remain her legacy to Lockerby.

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Media Contact:
Heather Gaffney, Principal, Lockerby Composite School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-522-1750.