Daily News The students of Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School were referring to the hair on top of three lucky heads. Principal Mike Valentine, 6th Grade Religion Teacher John Apablasa, and Athletic Coach Mike Anderson agreed to have their heads shaved if the students raised $13,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the 8th Annual Light the Night event. The school surpassed that goal by many dollars. In fact, the final tally delivered on the fundraising event was an unexpected $81,387.16. The funds raised will go toward the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's community education programs, patient support, and research. The entire event was inspired by 8th grade Chaminade student Kelsey Burke who was diagnosed in late June with Leukemia. After her diagnosis, the middle school immediately dubbed itself Team Kelsey. Chaminade provided the largest team in a Light the Night event with 947 walkers. They also raised the largest amount of any single group in the nation. Everyone wore their red Team Kelsey Relentless t-shirts to the pep rally. One of the organizers of the event, Religion Teacher Kate Lospalluto was proud of the entire school. "This is phenomenal. Talk about family spirit. We're so pleased with everything the Chaminade community has done. This is about finding a cure," Lospalluto said. "Kelsey is an amazing student who has a wonderful smile. She has good days and bad days. She was unable to be here, but with a sea of red shirts we remember she's an angel to all of us." Lospalluto looked a bit nervous before shaving Apablasa's head. "I haven't shaved someone's head since high school, but I'll do my best," Lospalluto said laughing. Student Morgan Howell, 13, raised $2,525 which was the highest single amount for the Light the Night event. "I think it's amazing how much we can do if we work together," Howell said. "But, I'm nervous about shaving someone's head. I mean, I shave my horses, but it's different." By raising the most money, Howell was awarded the honor of shaving the principal's head. Chaminade Counselor and Cheer Coach Heather Eaton, who also helped organize the event, was a first time shaver. "I am nervous about shaving Coach Anderson's head, but this is overwhelming to see our kids come together to support a cause. While the kids are enthusiastic about the head shaving, really this is a message about coming together and supporting one another," Eaton explained. Chaminade President Jim Adams helped to deliver the final fundraising
check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "I'm so proud of the
kids. They never hesitate to step up and they came through again with
hard work for a good cause," Adams said. For Religion Teacher Apablasa the moment was personal. "Kelsey was my student last year. I love her and I'd do anything for her. Our theme in religion is to be a light to people and how everyone can do God's work by example," Apablasa said. "We all share in her disease and everyone needs to know, they're not alone." Coach Anderson agreed. "This is a great opportunity to give Kelsey our uplifting support and boost her spirits. I was blown away by how much money was raised so I said sure, I'll shave my head," Anderson said. "It's real around us everyday. This is not the way it's supposed to happen with Kelsey. We're here to help and find a way toward a cure." The final message came from Lospalluto. "Thank you all for everything. This is for everyone who battles cancers. But, it's not over. We're not going to give up until we find a cure!" Published: Friday, November 3, 2006 More than 900 Chaminade College Preparatory High School and Middle School faculty members, students and relatives gathered at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills Oct. 8 for a fundraising walk to fight blood cancers in support of eighth grader, Kelsey Burke, diagnosed with leukemia last June. Red-shirted Team Kelsey participants, with Burke among them carrying a white cancer survivor balloon, raised over $70,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The exuberant team earned the distinction of being the largest walk team in the history of Light the Night. "The Light the Night walk was a great example of the 'family spirit' we talk so much about here at Chaminade," said Suzanne Sincock, Chaminade College Preparatory volunteer relations coordinator. "It gave all the students a sense of purpose and direction with an eye to the future. It also showed them how a positive attitude can make all the difference in how we tackle life's challenges." Chaminade's student body has endured a trio of challenges beginning back in April when 7th grade religion teacher Judi Thompson, 65, was diagnosed with colon cancer. Burke's illness surfaced in June followed by news during the summer that eighth grade graduate Michael Fritschner became partially paralyzed after surfing in Hawaii. Students have been offering their prayers and "presence" to each of the three as they consecutively became ill over the last half-year. Originally given only six weeks to live, Thompson credits her successful surgery and "inactive" cancer status to powerful prayer support, including intercessional prayers made to Blessed Father Chaminade. " I feel very blessed and thankful for all the support," said Thompson, who hopes to return to Chaminade next year following the end of her chemotheraphy treatments. She was present at Chaminde's Mission Awareness Mass Oct. 18 where she felt the community's "overwhelming" outpouring of love. Currently undergoing her last round of chemotherapy treatments at Children's Hospital, Burke has been in inspiration to her classmates, according to her eighth grade counselor and cheerleading coach, Heather Eaton. "Her spirit has been illuminated by this experience. She's talked about how this has put her life and connection with God into perspective. She's been extremely touched by the school's support," said Eaton. Kate Lospalluto, Burke's religion teacher and co-cheerleading coach, said the eighth grader has grown in her faith, evidenced by a "beautiful reflection" she gave to her classmates about battling leukemia. "It's made [the students] care about bigger issues than the material things they usually think about," commented Lospalluto. Team Kelsey began as an idea which "snowballed," according to Eaton. The Chaminade Middle School Cheer Squad hosted a rally in September to raise awareness for the Light the Night event and encourage participation. Students sold over 600 "Relentless" bracelets toward their
original fundraising goal of $13,000, $1,000 for every year of Burke's
life. Funds collected for the Light the Night walk are channeled into
patient support, research and community education programs. "I have been associated with hundreds of teams in my 29 years as athletic director and coach at Chaminade, but I can safely say that Team Kelsey was the biggest and best that I have every been privileged to be a part of," said Mike Valentine, Chaminade Middle School acting principal.
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