Many families are plagued with diseases and tragedies that can change the lives of everyone involved. A junior at Saratoga Springs High School is refusing to take what life has handed her sisters and is taking strides to make a difference.
When Leanne Bryan's youngest sister was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis,
just a few years prior to her other sister being diagnosed with the
same disease, she began to research the disease and what she could do
to help.
In September Bryan spearheaded the Saratoga Springs Disease Awareness Club as a way to raise money and awareness for CF.
"As the oldest of four girls, I decided I needed to do something for my two sisters with CF. I did a lot of research to find out what this disease was all about and was devastated by what I learned. My sisters are living with an incurable disease, and I had to do something for them," Bryan said.
Bryan began by talking with Saratoga Springs school psychologist Richard DiMartino, who then led her to new school psychologist Daniel Walter who became the club's advisor.
"The group became open to anyone who wanted to help," Walter said. "There is a core group of about 15 students who we see week after week and a whole lot of other students who help out when they can."
Once the group got off the ground, Walter and Bryan decided that they should pick two different causes to help fund. The first cause was obviously CF, and the second cause was Multiple Myeloma, a disease that touched an anonymous student's life.
According to Bryan, to get the group off the ground she started a Facebook page in hopes to generate interest.
"I was afraid that this club would only consist of my friends and me. I really hoped that I'd see a lot of new faces, which is just what happened," she said. "As it turns out, there are a lot of students that want to help others and do good things. Aside from National Honor Society, there aren't very many community service groups. If someone didn't have the grades to get into National Honor Society but wanted to join a community service group they didn't have many options."
Throughout the year, Bryan and the rest of her club raised funds through class competitions, bake sales and flower sales. It was their goal to raise $1,000 to give to both of their causes' foundations.
"The students went above and beyond and raised $1,600. They really did a great job," Walter said. "It's amazing what a group of driven teenagers can do. They all came together as a team and did this."
Next year, Bryan hopes to branch the club out into the community. Right now she is planning a 5K event to help raise money for CF and Multiple Myeloma. Because the club is so new, she doesn't know if it will continue to benefit these two causes or if the focus groups will change as students come and go.
"There are a lot of young members to carry on the group after I graduate next year," she said. "This year we focused on building the club from the ground up. There are a lot of motivated students though. Volunteering is like a disease itself. Once you start, it's in your system. You're in it."
In September Bryan spearheaded the Saratoga Springs Disease Awareness Club as a way to raise money and awareness for CF.
"As the oldest of four girls, I decided I needed to do something for my two sisters with CF. I did a lot of research to find out what this disease was all about and was devastated by what I learned. My sisters are living with an incurable disease, and I had to do something for them," Bryan said.
Bryan began by talking with Saratoga Springs school psychologist Richard DiMartino, who then led her to new school psychologist Daniel Walter who became the club's advisor.
"The group became open to anyone who wanted to help," Walter said. "There is a core group of about 15 students who we see week after week and a whole lot of other students who help out when they can."
Once the group got off the ground, Walter and Bryan decided that they should pick two different causes to help fund. The first cause was obviously CF, and the second cause was Multiple Myeloma, a disease that touched an anonymous student's life.
According to Bryan, to get the group off the ground she started a Facebook page in hopes to generate interest.
"I was afraid that this club would only consist of my friends and me. I really hoped that I'd see a lot of new faces, which is just what happened," she said. "As it turns out, there are a lot of students that want to help others and do good things. Aside from National Honor Society, there aren't very many community service groups. If someone didn't have the grades to get into National Honor Society but wanted to join a community service group they didn't have many options."
Throughout the year, Bryan and the rest of her club raised funds through class competitions, bake sales and flower sales. It was their goal to raise $1,000 to give to both of their causes' foundations.
"The students went above and beyond and raised $1,600. They really did a great job," Walter said. "It's amazing what a group of driven teenagers can do. They all came together as a team and did this."
Next year, Bryan hopes to branch the club out into the community. Right now she is planning a 5K event to help raise money for CF and Multiple Myeloma. Because the club is so new, she doesn't know if it will continue to benefit these two causes or if the focus groups will change as students come and go.
"There are a lot of young members to carry on the group after I graduate next year," she said. "This year we focused on building the club from the ground up. There are a lot of motivated students though. Volunteering is like a disease itself. Once you start, it's in your system. You're in it."
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