A 13-year-old Gardnerville cancer patient has been "adopted" by fourth-graders at Minden Elementary School who believe a simple act of kindness can be a powerful medicine.
Beginning in August, Janell Sheets' class implemented the Me to We project. Once a month the students complete a project that takes them out of the classroom and into the community.
They've washed patrol cars for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, cleaned the school cafeteria and put together care packages for the homeless.
For February, the 13 students decided to do a project on cancer awareness.
"My class has been asking to do a cancer-related Me to We project for months, suggesting everything from walk-a-thons to coin collecting, and it just hasn't felt right largely because of the economy and other needs that have arisen within our community," Sheets said.
The class decided to sponsor a cancer patient by sending letters, pictures, and other items.
At the end of January, Sheets was ready to contact a Seattle cancer center for a referral where her brother successfully underwent treatment.
But fate intervened.
On Feb 1, The Record-Courier published a story and photos about Elaine Brockhage who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor a year earlier.
"We couldn't help but wonder if we were supposed to sponsor her," Sheets said.
She contacted Elaine's mother Karen, and a class project blossomed.
The students created a "portable mural" to illustrate a poem Elaine wrote about her experience with cancer.
They put the finishing touches on the project Friday and prepared to send their gift.
A letter on the back reads:
"To Elaine: May our 'portable mural' brighten your room, whether it be at home or during treatments. Although we've never met, always know you have 13 fourth-graders and a teacher at Minden Elementary School that are thinking about you and wish you the best. With love and friendship, Mrs. Sheets' Fourth Grade Class."
Nine-year-old Natalie Smith said it didn't matter that the students had never met Elaine.
"We wanted to make her feel better and we didn't want her to feel left out because she has to stay home," Natalie said.
Trevor Warren, 10, said the idea was "to make sure Elaine knows people support her."
Trevor said Elaine's story of how she cut her own hair to donate to other children with cancer gave him a good idea of what kind of girl she is.
"She has a really, really nice personality," he said,.
Brandon Easley, 10, said he was impressed that even though Elaine had cancer, she found things in her life to be thankful for.
And he likes the feeling he gets from participating in "Me to We."
"You're helping somebody else besides yourself," he said.
Some of the students had personal messages for Elaine:
- "I hope they find a cure so you can grow back all your hair," Alexis McQuigg, 9.
n "Elaine, I hope you get better and get back to doing the things you like to do," Mary Weyland, 9.
- "Elaine, you'll get better," Andrew Tuell, 9.
- "God bless you," Brian Leon, 10.
- "Have a wonderful life and don't let having cancer get you discouraged," Alex Westre, 9.
- "Remember, just because you have cancer, it doesn't mean you can't do the things you want," Alex Harker, 10.
- "I hope Elaine gets better, grows all her hair back and has a wonderful time with her life," Corie Nalder, 9.
The students have monitored Elaine's project through her Caring Bridge Web site.
