In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the students of Brownwood High School recognized two childhood cancer survivors who are also children of Brownwood High School Faculty before the BHS football game Friday night.

Macie Smith, daughter of Cody and Chris Smith, is a 6th grader at Brownwood Intermediate School.  Her father, Cody, is the Construction Trades teacher at Brownwood High School.  Macie has been cancer free for 6 years. 

Carlee Richardson, daughter of Michael and Sandra Richardson, is a 3rd grader at Woodland Heights Elementary. Her mother, Sandra, is the Director of Career and College Readiness at Brownwood High School. Carlee has been cancer free for 1 year. 

A gold ribbon is the symbol for childhood cancer and students from the Brownwood FFA & the Brownwood Lionettes joined together before the game, in hopes of “Kickin Children’s Cancer”, by raising awareness by handing out gold ribbon stickers.  They also raffled off chances to win a pair of boots donated by Scott’s Western Wear, or a quilt designed and donated by Doris Rice.  The Brownwood Lionettes also passed their boots during the 4th quarter to gather donations for the cause as well. All proceeds benefit the American Childhood Cancer Organization to provide research, support, and free resources to childhood cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Every day, 46 children in the US are diagnosed with cancer. 20% of those children will not survive.  Currently, only 4% of national cancer research funding is dedicated to childhood cancer.  Half of all chemotherapies used for childhood cancer are at least 25 years old. In the past 20 years, only one new drug has been expressly developed for treating childhood cancer. The loss of a child to cancer is one of the worst tragedies a family can face. Each death means the loss of an entire lifetime.

A moment of silence was observed to honor the 13,500 children diagnosed with cancer each year in the US, and the 35,000 children who are currently undergoing cancer treatment.

The Brownwood FFA and Lionette organizations would like to thank Scott’s Western Wear, Bruner Motors, On Target Printing, and Doris Rice for their generous donations towards the Kickin’ Children’s Cancer cause.