Schools

Meeting Challenges _ and (Maybe) Matt Damon

Grafton High School students are honored at fund-raiser for their efforts to fight stomach cancer.

National Honor Society students used colorful beads and sturdy string to create jewelry that could truly be priceless.

In fact, the pieces they created could save lives.

The bracelets they made yesterday will be distributed in exchange for a donation at an event next week to aid in the fight against cancer. Each bracelet features beads in colors that signify specific types of cancer.

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These bracelets will be distributed to anyone who makes a donation at The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center’s fifth annual fundraiser honoring the one hundred, those individuals and groups whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer.

The Grafton High School students were selected to make the bracelets for a very special reason: They are among the 100 individuals and groups who will be honored at the fund-raising reception June 7 at the Westin Boston Waterfront.

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They are being honored for their efforts in the fight against stomach cancer.

The students have been heavily involved in promoting awareness of stomach cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the world.

When genetic tests then showed that Lambert had an 83 percent chance of developing the disease, she opted to have her stomach removed.

After her surgery, doctors found pre-cancerous cells in her stomach. Because stomach cancer can be difficult to detect and many of its symptoms mirror less serious health issues, Lambert believes “the surgery definitely saved my life.’’

The surgery also inspired her to become active in Nostomachforcancer.org. She serves on the board of directors.

Touched by her story, Grafton High School National Honor Society students then became involved in the cause. In November, which is designated as Stomach Cancer Awareness month, they participated in a variety of events. The students sold wristbands, Grafton High School bells and No Stomach for Cancer T-shirts at a variety of events, including parent conferences. 

“It’s just a cause very close to our hearts,’’ said student Julie Hugunin. "We all care so much for Mrs. Lambert, so it meant a lot to us.''

Hugunin's involvement in the awareness event earned her a ticket to be seated at the fundraiser. National Honor Society advisor Marcia Pereira will also sit at the event.

Because of the high cost of the tickets, the other students will be seated in a nearby room, where they can view the festivities on television. They will also enter the fund-raiser to distribute the bracelets to attendees who make a donation to the cause.

And if featured speaker, actor Matt Damon, buys a bracelet, one lucky student will have the chance to meet the actor. Others scheduled to attend include New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose wife, Myra, died of cancer, and former TV reporter Joyce Kulhawik, a cancer survivor.

“I feel honored,’’ Hugunin said, of being selected to have a seat at the actual event. “It’s a really inspirational event. ‘’

The Grafton students are inspirations themselves, said Raquel Morales, assistant director of events at Massachusetts General Hospital. She visited Grafton High School to help the students string the bracelets.

“We have been overwhelmed by how young people grasp the seriousness of cancer and what they can do to help out,’’ she said.

Lambert, who knows the devastation cancer causes all too well, agrees.

"They have done a great job with their efforts,'' she said. "And they have truly made a difference for the cause.''


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