Bryan's Buddies help the cause
Posted: 11/2/2009
By James Mulcahy
Enjoying Popsicles with his school chums, third-grader Bryan Stapleton was the playground hero this sunny day in September.
The sugar-free frozen treats were a reward that represented their own cause -- diabetes research.
This year, four classrooms at Heritage Elementary -- Bryan's Buddies -- shared in the honors of raising the most money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Students in the classrooms of Jamie Smith, Katrina Stapleton, Leasa Ball and Mary Roach raised similar amounts, Mrs. Stapleton (Bryan's mom) said. About $600 was raised at the school.
Bryan, who suffers from juvenile diabetes, started the fundraiser last year as part of a regional JDRF effort, which includes a 3-mile walk in Louisville.
It was also Bryan's idea to serve sugar-free treats to the school winners.
"Having diabetes means you can't have that much sugar and you need to watch what you eat," the 9-year-old said.
Even though Bryan wasn't able to meet last year's total, his mother is still proud that her son would take such initiative. Overall, he raised $1,700 this year, she said.
"Last year he raised almost $5,000. It's been harder with the economy."
Bryan was the hero for making the Popsicle party possible, but in his eyes, they were the heroes for donating to the cause.
"I just really want a cure," he said.
The sugar-free frozen treats were a reward that represented their own cause -- diabetes research.
This year, four classrooms at Heritage Elementary -- Bryan's Buddies -- shared in the honors of raising the most money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Students in the classrooms of Jamie Smith, Katrina Stapleton, Leasa Ball and Mary Roach raised similar amounts, Mrs. Stapleton (Bryan's mom) said. About $600 was raised at the school.
Bryan, who suffers from juvenile diabetes, started the fundraiser last year as part of a regional JDRF effort, which includes a 3-mile walk in Louisville.
It was also Bryan's idea to serve sugar-free treats to the school winners.
"Having diabetes means you can't have that much sugar and you need to watch what you eat," the 9-year-old said.
Even though Bryan wasn't able to meet last year's total, his mother is still proud that her son would take such initiative. Overall, he raised $1,700 this year, she said.
"Last year he raised almost $5,000. It's been harder with the economy."
Bryan was the hero for making the Popsicle party possible, but in his eyes, they were the heroes for donating to the cause.
"I just really want a cure," he said.
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