This year was another great year for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure and none of it would have been possible without all of the teams who ran. 127,000 participants and volunteers came together on Run day and through the support of generous donors raised over $25 million for innovative breast cancer research, health education, and advocacy initiatives throughout Canada.

The Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School community put a team in again this year, and they collected $2374.00 towards this very worthy cause. Only a few of the members of the Holy Cross Cubs who came out for the run are pictured here. It was a great turn out for such a dreary day. Congratulations on helping to make a difference. Go Cubs Go!

On Tuesday, November 19th, the students in teacher Shanna Whalen’s Grade 2/3 class, Eva Scola’s class at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School, engaged in a Skype session with Ryan Hreljac, the founder of Ryan’s Well. The students are part of the School Challenge that is organized by the foundation. Their goal is to raise money to help build a well, as well as latrines, for Haiti. After watching the Ryan’s Well documentary, and learning about Ryan’s amazing dedication toward bringing clean water to Africa, the students were very excited to have the chance to talk to Ryan through Skype. They had the opportunity to ask Ryan whatever questions they wanted during the half hour session. One student, Mia Maurice, asked if she could ask Santa for money for the well. It was clear by his expression and response, that he was touched by this selfless act. Ryan was very supportive of the students, and encouraged them to choose a cause that they are passionate about, and try to make a difference. He does not consider himself to be a hero, but we do, and we are looking forward help create justice as well.

A photo taken of Ryan shortly after our Skype session.

Since October, the Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School grade 3 students from teacher Eva Scola’s class, and the grade 3/4 students from teacher Shanna Whalen’s class have been learning about the water crisis in Ghana, Africa. The students were involved in the 2012/2013 School Challenge through the Ryan’s Well Foundation, that involved raising awareness, and money, to build a well and laterines in Ghana. The students came together to engage in discussions, and to create a plan that would make others in the school aware of Ryan’s Well, and the lack of clean water in Africa. These students had a goal to raise $750. Through pledges from families, the collection of coins in our class piggy banks, and a truly amazing participation in our Wacky Hair for Water Day- Bringing in small change to make BIG Change in Africa-, the students of Holy Cross were able to more than double their goal. They raised $1689! “We are extremely proud of our students,” said Shanna. Whalen. “They demonstrated a genuine concern for people they don’t even know. They were able to get their message across to their peers, through their great Christian leadership. They wanted to make a difference, and they definitely did.”