A-Week a chance to raise money for cancer patient
A 9-year-old boy will be the beneficiary of money raised during A-Week, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association (SAA).
David Dominguez is a former Woodruff Elementary School student of the mother of an SAA member, said Melissa Swenson, service vice president of SAA and a senior majoring in secondary education.
“Every year for A-Day the tradition is to find a family to sponsor who has medical and financial needs,” Swenson said.
Among the activities members of SAA will be performing are chores for change, hallway of change and taking donations to help Dominguez, according to a press release from the SAA.
According to the SAA’s pamphlet promoting Dominguez’s needs, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2000 when lumps and tumors were found in his thyroid area. In November 2000, several tumors were removed from one side of his neck. One year later, more tumors were removed from the other side of his neck and from his chest.
According to a press release, Dominguez is currently undergoing radiation treatments which last from one to three days. His mother Olga is only allowed to see him for 30 minutes during each 24-hour period of his treatments.
“I’m sure it’s hard on her to be away from David,” Swenson said. “She’s a neat lady.”
Swenson said Olga does well with the money she earns.
“But if we can help with David’s medical expenses, it would be a huge service to him and his family,” she said.
Monday morning Swenson and David went on the air with Aaron Steele at KVFX to talk about the fund raiser.
“He was really nervous,” she said. “But he’s really excited.”
Swenson said sometimes people forget what A-Week is all about.
“I think people think of A-Day and kissing on the ‘A’ and they forget that it is a celebration of service,” she said. “But I’ve seen people come out and serve and it makes me reflect – it renews my faith in humanity.”
Donations can be made directly by contacting SAA or by donating $1 to SAA in the Taggart Student Center for a chance to win a treadmill.
“Everybody buys Coke,” Swenson said. “Give up a Coke to save a kid’s life.”