My name is Bethany S. Thornton and I am an 18-year-old freshman at Penn State University, University Park, Pa. In my last year of high school at Red Bank Catholic, I was privileged to work with a few people from the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) trying to raise funds to make better the lives of children afflicted with cancer. I was truly touched and amazed by these wonderful people, who dedicate their lives to these innocent children in a crusade to see a few more smiles, hear a bit more laughter and see those, who needlessly suffer, comforted. We should all be so noble.
Having organized a benefit for the ECF at the Stone Pony in June and assisting on another benefit earlier this year, I understand how truly difficult it is to get an ample response from the community. There are so many people out there who would no doubt love to help us out; the obstacle we must clear is reaching them and providing them with the proper information to evoke interest and support.
We need to let the people of New Jersey know about these activities so we may further educate them about the cause and do our part to make the lives of these innocent children better and less painful. Many of us cannot imagine what life is like for the kids the ECF helps out every day, but it is enough to know they are near to us and we all have the ability to help them in their illness.
On Aug. 17, I departed from New Jersey to take residence at college. I will certainly be busy, but I plan on taking a very active role in seeing that two ECF activities I will participate in are successful and that kind organizations like yours help bring a few extra smiles to a world of children that desperately need them. I beg you to help me, help Joann Passantino, the regional director of the ECF, help the noble crusaders of the ECF and help these wonderful children.
They have touched my life in a way I know will last forever. Considering I have known them only a year, and I have seen but a fraction of the good works they do, I believe if they are able to impact me so profoundly, they must make the lives of the children they help much, much better.
Bethany S. Thornton
Red Bank