Thank You
to the students of École Notre Dame du Cap School
in Cape St. George, Newfoundland!

On June 16, 2008 the students held their 5th Annual Walk for Diabetes. This school of 54 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 have raised almost $15,000 for diabetes related charities in the past five years.

This year these incredible students raised over $3100 and donated the money to Diabetes Hope Foundation. The children are proud to know that all of the money that they raised will be used in their province to help families and young adults obtain the supplies they desperately need to properly manage their diabetes.

For those who think that children nowadays do nothing but play video games and think of themselves, I invite you to come to this school and join in one of their walks. The hearts of these children and their community know no bounds.

• There is a young lady in the school who makes it her mission to raise as much money as she can each year. Her fellow students encourage her each day and wonder what incredible sum of money she will bring forward on walk day. This year her total was over $800.
• There is a young man in grade one whose sister has Type 1 diabetes. Life with diabetes is the only world he has ever known as she was diagnosed before he was born. He took his small bike and pedalled his way through three communities collecting $2 and $3 donations to bring his total to almost $300 raised for this year's walk.
• There is a family who raffled items at bingos and donated the proceeds to this year's walk.

The stories continue and the generosity is amazing. It is an atmosphere that fills the school from top to bottom—from principal to staff to students. These children do not do what they do for the prizes that they may receive. They don't seem too worried about what will be given away this year or if they will get a certificate of thanks. The raising of funds is usually done quietly with each child setting their own goal.

They do it for their school friend Liam who lives with Type 1 diabetes, their sibling, family member, or simply because it feels right. No matter why they do it they offer us an incredible lesson in selflessness.

These children come from a small community. They live in an area with the highest unemployment rate in the country. Their pledges are rarely over $5 or $10 but with those little bits and with their incredible determination they continue to raise more and more money each year for a cause that has become their own—diabetes.

Each year they bring tears to my eyes as I have the pleasure of joining them in their walk and giving the money they raise to deserving people living with a disease I know all to well. I am Liam's mother. Once again, thank you to the students of École Notre Dame du Cap and all of the incredible people who support their Diabetes Walk each year.

Sincerely,
Barb Marche

Pictures from the 2007 Walk for Diabetes