From what started as Team Gillian, children honoring a classmate in Mrs. Lundy’s kindergarten class at Woodland Heights Elementary, has today become Kids Kicking Cancer throughout Brownwood ISD. The idea began as a single kindergarten class finding a way to support their classmate and cancer survivor, Gillian Sapp, in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on June 4th.

“Our class was trying to come up with a name for the team,” said Mrs. Lundy.  “When Team Gillian was suggested, Gillian’s eyes lit up, and the children spontaneously started chanting ‘Team Gillian, Team Gillian!’”  The students even helped design the T-shirts.  All of Woodland Heights immediately joined in by raising funds for Team Gillian through T-shirt sales and bracelets that say “Kids Kicking Cancer.”

After Gillian was selected as the Relay for Life’s Child Honorary Co-chair, Kindergarten parent Brandy Bishop began taking the idea to the other campuses.  “It’s more than just buying a shirt,” said Brandy. “We are encouraging campuses to teach their students about exercise and nutrition to fight against cancer.”

Every campus in Brownwood has joined what is now “Kids Kicking Cancer,” student efforts to help fight cancer.  Team Gillian T-shirts and bracelets are being sold on every campus, and several teams are being formed to walk in the Relay for Life.  “I had no idea that it would grow into what it has,” said Brandy. At the Middle School, Team Abby is being organized to honor Abby Hubbard, who has battled childhood cancer.  The Student Council and National Junior Honor Society are designing a shirt to sell and forming a team for the Relay.

At Coggin Elementary, students will have a fundraiser for fourth grade classmate, Maci Smith, a cancer survivor.  They will be donating proceeds from pickle sales to the Relay for Life in honor of Maci.

Parents are welcome to join the students by purchasing shirts and wristbands as well.  Team Gillian order forms are available in all the school offices, and are due March 31.

Thousands of dollars have already been raised for the American Cancer Society, but that is not the only result of the students’ work.  “This has been so good for our kids,” said Mrs. Lundy.  “They are learning about friendship, and how to support each other in the good times and bad.”

Photo: Mrs. Lundy’s Kindergarten Class at Woodland HeightsElementary have inspired students all over Brownwood to raise funds forAmerican Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on June 4.