On Sept. 13, students and staff in Las Cruces Public Schools will show their support for children battling cancer by wearing gold. The campaign is a partnership with the City of Las Cruces, who will be raising awareness throughout September.
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, a group of parents impacted by cancer chose gold to represent childhood cancer awareness. That was in 1997, and since then the movement has grown to empower supporters raising awareness for childhood cancer warriors.
As an organization, Las Cruces Public Schools, with approximately 23,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees, has been impacted by childhood cancer. Melissa Galaz, a former principal at Sonoma Elementary School, remembers fondly a student of hers lost to cancer in 2013. Another student, whose parent is an LCPS employee, was diagnosed in 2015 and is now a thriving sophomore in the district.
“I have always advocated and supported the philosophy of teaching ‘the whole child’,” said Galaz. “This includes the care, support and love for our students during difficult times they are experiencing, including health challenges.”
For more information on the Go Gold for Kids movement, click here.
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