Cheerleaders root for local girl battling brain tumor
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Cheerleaders sold chain links for $1 to build a rope of encouragement for Emma Walton and to help raise money so she can fight her brain tumor.
Photo by junior Anthony Szuhay |
 The cheerleading program is teaming up with the Lake County Sheriff's Office to raise money for a local girl who recently was diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor.
Emma Walton, a 14-year-old Zion-Benton High School student, learned about the tumor after experiencing severe headaches. She now has to undergo extensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Cheerleading Coach Brittany Wiegel said her newly formed parent organization suggested that the 30 varsity and JV cheerleaders become more involved in charity work. When Wiegel learned about Walton and her family's financial needs from a friend, she thought that would be a good place to start.
The cheerleaders have busied themselves by selling raffle tickets to the LCHS community for an Emma Walton charity event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. The benefit, which includes food, entertainment, raffles, and a silent auction, will begin at noon at the Lake Villa Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. Admission is $10.
The cheerleaders also have been selling chain links for $1 each that will be used to create a chain link rope. Each link offers words of encouragement to Walton, and the money raised will go toward her cause. The teams also will attend the benefit for moral support.
"They have been putting in an awesome effort," Wiegel said.
"They are realizing through helping someone their own age just how lucky they are." |
