On Friday, May 13, 2022, the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School students and staff participated in the annual Live Like Abby walk-a-thon. Students and staff were able to raise over $30,000 for the Live Like Abby Foundation!
Abby Wujcik was a 6 year old Kolmar Elementary student when she was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. For the next 15 months, Abby courageously battled the disease. Unfortunately, Abby passed away just 11 days after her 8th birthday. Abby’s parents, Kevin and Kristyn Wujcik, pledged to always honor Abby and help find the cure to pediatric brain cancer.
Since Abby’s passing, the Wujcik Family has partnered with The John McNicholas Foundation who continue to push for advancements in the research, care, and treatment of pediatric brain tumor patients. Their ultimate goal is to eradicate pediatric brain tumors.
The walk-a-thon, spearheaded by Mrs. Kathy Ogean, OLHMS 7th grade math teacher, and the rest of the Live Like Abby board and family members, gave students and staff an opportunity to join in helping the fight against pediatric brain tumors. Walk-a-thon participants were able to walk around the beautiful OLHMS school grounds and participate in a variety of stations such as hurdles, a photo booth, bean bag/ladder ring, water balloon target game, beads and bubbles, and a roll-the-dice candy game. The DJ also had some favorite hits playing while students and staff enjoyed the walk.
Following the walk-a-thon was an all-school pep assembly where students won different raffles and gift cards for their participation. Abby’s parents and siblings joined in the fun as well as the Live Like Abby board members. 7th grader Anthony Orshonsky was the top fundraiser of the school with $700 in donations! The Advisories with the most participation in the walk-a-thon in each grade level were Mrs. Rayson’s 6th grade Advisory, Ms. Teichert’s 7th grade Advisory, and Mrs. Merkle’s 8th grade Advisory.
All proceeds from the walk-a-thon go towards furthering the Live Like Abby mission of funding research dedicated to curing and improving treatment for children affected by brain tumors. Live Like Abby is extremely proud that their efforts have raised over $2 million in pediatric brain tumor research to date! Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School and District 123 look forward to the continued partnership with Live Like Abby and strive to help them reach their goal of eliminating pediatric brain tumors.
To make a donation to the Live Like Abby Foundation, click here.
