It was part of the school’s participation in the Eastern School District’s Living Health Commotion initiative, and was followed up afterwards with a walk outside in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
Up first was Dulcie Osmond, 63, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in June 2009.
Still undergoing treatment, this past summer the College of the North Atlantic instructor received the Canadian Cancer Society’s Medal of Courage.
“I want to tell all of you, live your best life … live for yourself, live by your own standards, not someone else’s … hold on to each other and help each other as you walk through life.”
Florence Strang, 45, also spoke to students about her battle with breast cancer.
Diagnosed in April 2011, Ms. Strang, a guidance counselor at Donald C. Jamieson Academy in Burin, responded by writing an award-winning blog, ‘The Perks of Having Cancer’, which is being turned into a book.
She advised students to always keep a positive outlook and to remember all crises eventually subside.
“Even under the most horrendous of life circumstances, there are always perks. There are always reasons to smile.”
Meanwhile, students and staff at the school raised $863 for the Terry Fox Foundation, and as they left for their walk, were encouraged to see if they could break $1,000.
The students were also shown a short video about the organization during Wednesday’s assembly.
pherridge@southerngazette.ca
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