ARHS students rally around ill Springfield boy

By Bob Dunn
Staff Writer

Published on November 24, 2006

Students at Amherst Regional High School opened their hearts and wallets once again to help raise money for a Springfield boy diagnosed with a form of mitochondrial disease.

Seven-year-old Cameron Genie is the beneficiary of two days of fund-raising at ARHS. The benefit was organized by students in the peer advisory group and by health teacher and advisor Alison Jordan.

Cameron's disease affects his body's ability to make energy for his cells, limiting his physical activity, making him easily fatigued and necessitating frequent naps, Jordan said.

The students raised money for the Genie family by selling chances to guess the amount of candy in a plastic tub, bags of candy and paper hands that will be signed by the students and displayed around the building as a show of support.

Money raised was to be presented to Cameron last week to support the family and offset expenses. With the holidays coming it's nice to have a little extra money," Jordan said.

According to Jordan, $125 was raised in one week and the group was hoping to collect at least that much later.

Jackie Bonneau and Grace Griffith, two ARHS senior peer advisors, said they were both thrilled at the opportunity to finally meet Cameron, who Jordan has been working with for a few years. Griffith said that her fellow students have been enthusiastic about contributing to the fund-raiser and helping Cameron and his family.

"They're excited to be involved," she said.

The peer advisory group does one fund-raising project every trimester, Jordan said, and the next two will focus on the Genies as well.

Future fund-raisers may feature shirts, wristbands and other items to allow people to contribute and show support for Cameron, now that he's been introduced to the student body.

"We'll be furthering it as we go," Jordan said. "But the focus will be on Cameron."