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More than 600 students and staff at Bellefontaine Intermediate School honored three individuals at its annual Walking For Wigs event recently, which raised a total of $4,529.55 this year for the Logan County Cancer Society.
BIS third-grader Landon Rister’s mother, Heather, was one of the honorees. City resident Mrs. Rister passed away several days after the event, May 18, at the age of 29 following a battle with breast cancer. “Heather was a nursing student and enjoyed taking care of others,” school representatives said.
Landon and his grandmother, Kim Rister, and aunt, Kayla Cox, each participated in Walking for Wigs in her honor.
The two other honorees for this year’s event were third-grade student Thane Admire and custodian Wayne Fahenstock. Nineyear- old Thane is a leukemia survivor, and he first underwent treatment at age 3, and again at age 6. Fahenstock is a colon cancer survivor.
Students and staff walked the track and read the luminaries displayed in honor and remembrance of cancer survivors.
Fifth-grader Madilynn Zedeker served as an emcee for the event. Speakers shared with students that they might know someone who has cancer or someone who has lost the battle to this horrible disease, but they are not alone in this difficulty.
In total, Walking For Wigs over the years has generated a total of $21,747.06 for the program overseen by the Mary Rutan Foundation. The Logan County Cancer Society offers financial assistance to Logan County residents with a cancer diagnosis to cover expenses such as medication, equipment, supplies, wigs and other items, including gas cards to help with treatment-related travel costs.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the staff and students for the way they give back to the community every year,” BIS secretary Tammy Overholser said. “We would like to thank Mary Rutan Hospital for being an amazing neighbor and supporting us.”