Woodland Heights Elementary celebrated one of their own student’s successful battles with Leukemia on Thursday afternoon. Now finished with her treatment and seeming to be back to her own “peppy” self, the student body enjoyed a day to raise money and honor the little sweetheart survivor, Gillian Sapp.
During the assembly, Toni Becktold, Chair of the Survivorship Committee along with Margaret Carter, Relay Chairperson and Brandy Bishop, Chairperson for Woodland Height’s “Team Gillian” all surprised Gillian with an announcement that she had been chosen as the Child Survivor Spokesperson for the 2010 Brown County Relay for Life. Gillian and her mother both received gift bags and roses along with a bouquet of purple balloons for Gillian.
As the students cheered for Gillian, Brandy Bishop brought up a gallon sized zip lock baggie that was packed full of bills and checks for Team Gillian’s Relay efforts. The total in the baggie, money raised through 1:00pm on Thursday, was $2521.00!
To help others understand what Gillian and other cancer patients endure her mother, Sheena Sapp, wrote the following:In October of 2007, Gillian Marie Sapp was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), at the age of three. Unlike most children, Gillian didn’t show many signs or symptoms.
The first days in the hospital were undoubtedly the hardest for Gillian and the rest of the family. For a
child so full of life and smiles, seeing her too weak to move, eat, or speak was frightening. But with the support of family, the incredible doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and the hospital staff, we were able to maintain a positive outlook, and we were able to maintain hope.
When first being told was that Gillian’s treatment would take approximately two and a half years, our feelings were mixed in so many ways. You feel happy that there is a light at the end of this long road, but you also feel this dreary weight. There are so many things to consider: what side effects will the medication have, will she have learning disabilities, will she be able to have children, will she have a relapse, etc. Luckily there are so many people that want to help.
For the better part of two years, Gillian was unable to spend time around anyone her own age. She had to wear masks to protect her from hospitalization. We faced isolation, blood and platelet transfusions, countless procedures and medications.
Now, here we are; it’s been two and a half years and, as of January 18, 2010, we have finally finished our treatment. Gillian’s hair is growing back; once again I see her being quick-witted and full of energy. There is no more chemotherapy, no more steroids (or moodiness with them), no more lumbar punctures, or sedatives; and soon we will be able to remove the port catheter in her chest.
We were tremendously lucky, we have friends and family that were more than willing to help and support us. So many people are unaware what treatment for cancer entails. Hopefully, in time we can help with that, at least in part; because, with knowledge comes power, the power to make a difference.
When Toni Becktold asked Gillian if she understood what Relay for Life was for, she smiled and answered, “To help kids not get sick again.”
Becktold read a small excerpt from the journal she kept during her own son’s fight against Leukemia, which explained that the children that go through the fight against cancer go through terrible pain, sickness and uncertainty hoping for a cure and fighting not only the disease but also medications that could possibly end their precious little lives, that they are actually “warriors.”
If you would like to support Team Gillian and the fight against cancer of all types, please come to the Brown County Relay for Life on June 4-5 at Gordon Wood Stadium. You can make a donation at the event and even join in on the Relay to understand just what a moving event this is each year.
Top Photo: Gillian Sapp after receiving recognition
Middle Photo: Gillian sharing the moment with her mom
Bottom Photo: Sheena Sapp with the donations given so far for the relay
Click the photo gallery below for more photos of the event.
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