Iron Springs elementary students donate to Valley View Cancer Center

Iron Springs Elementary students created signs to put in jars to collect money to help cancer patients and their families, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014, | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News
Iron Springs Elementary students created signs to put in jars to collect money to help cancer patients and their families, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News

CEDAR CITY — The Student Council of Iron Springs Elementary School in Cedar City was looking for a service project for the holidays, when 5th grader Braden France, son of Valley View Foundation Development Officer Michael France, got a great idea.

“Braden has seen first-hand how hard the foundation works to raise support for our cancer center, so he talked to the Student Council about doing a fundraiser for the cancer center,” France said. “Jason Wilson’s fifth-grade daughter Lauren (Jason Wilson is the administrator at Valley View) also sits on the Iron Springs Student Council, and together they helped move this idea forward.”

The students of Iron Springs put glass jars around the school to raise money, with signs they made themselves.

Students and teachers pose at the Cancer Center as they deliver the check to help patients and families, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News
Students and teachers pose at the Cancer Center as they deliver the check to help patients and families, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News

“Students were asked to donate spare change,” France said, “and the funds raised would be split evenly between the Iron County Children’s Justice Center (a safe environment where child victims of a crime provide evidence and testimony to prevent their having to testify in court and receive further trauma) and to Valley View’s Cancer Center.”

The students raised an impressive $1,000 with their holiday fundraiser. The Iron Springs Student Council came to the Cancer Center to present their donation, and while there, got a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible technology saving lives of local cancer patients every day.

Wilson and France were able to accompany their children as they saw inside the Linear Accelerator room, where cancer treatment is provided with laser-like precision to a tumor. Funds raised by the Valley View Foundation last year helped to add CAT scan arms to the Accelerator, which made the treatment even more precise, sparing healthy tissue and enabling cancer patients to get better more quickly.

“I really enjoyed getting to show the Iron Springs Student Council along with my daughter Lauren just how truly amazing our technology is now to help save the lives of those who have cancer,” Jason Wilson said. “I am honored and grateful for their heartfelt donation. What a beautiful thing it is for the students and faculty of Iron Springs to show their love and support for those in our local community who are battling cancer.”

Iron Springs Elementary students tour the Cancer Center, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News
Iron Springs Elementary students tour the Cancer Center, Valley View Medical Center, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Valley View Medical Center, St. George News

The funds will go directly to help cancer patients and their families, France said. IPads have been donated to the Cancer Center for patients to use while they receive treatment, like chemotherapy, and the students’ donation will help update the iPads with new movies, media and games.

“Once again, a huge thanks to Iron Springs Elementary and their Student Council,” France said.

Ed. note: Second to last quote attribution corrected to Jason Wilson rather than France.

Related posts

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.