Waverly Fifth Grader Leads Charge for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

Student creates campaign to raise $500 in her building.

When fifth grader Casey Lynch was 4 years old her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He received chemo and radiation and had major surgery. Mr. Lynch is six years post-surgery and considered a survivor.

Casey’s grandfather had died from pancreatic cancer 22 years ago.

As a family, they attend the Lustgarten Foundation pancreatic cancer walk every fall. This led Casey to raise money and awareness for the cause at Waverly Avenue Elementary School where she raised $500 this fall.

She developed a flyer to sell purple bracelets and marketed the items around the school.

“Casey has been involved every step and 100 percent of the proceeds are going directly to the Lustgarten Foundation,” said Kristina Fulcher, a fifth-grade special education teacher at Waverly.

“Casey has created the flyer, came up with the idea of selling purple bracelets and the idea of placing a jug in the cafeteria for spare change,” said Dani Sexton, also a fifth-grade special education teacher at Waverly.

The entire school wore purple on Thursday, Nov. 30 to show support.