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By Mika Brust & Lexi Heath
Come spring every year, Senior Survivor begins. At the end of the week, the proceeds raised by each team are combined and given to the charity of the winning team. However, this year was different because all teams agreed to raise money for the same charity – Reilly Trammel and her family – before the Senior Survivor competition began.
Meet Reilly, a 13-year-old girl who loves science, excels at math, and one day plans to be a Senior Survivor, too. She is surrounded by a loving family and is from the neighboring town of Chelsea, attending Mill Creek Middle School.
In the beginning of August, Reilly was delivered some life-altering news. She had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma; a type of cancer in the lymphatic system, part of the immune system. In the lymphatic system, cells grow abnormally and can spread throughout the body. As the cancer progresses, the body is less susceptible to fighting off infection.
Reilly described the instance she was given this information as “scary” and “a very big shock.”
This school year, Reilly has been unable to attend Mill Creek due to her illness, as well as the effects of the treatment. The primary medical treatment for her condition has been “lots of hardcore chemotherapy. . .eight rounds of it,” her mother said. “Her blood count and her immune system, her white blood cells which fight off infection, are all really low.”
Due to the fact that her immune system is so weak, a simple cough can expose her to immediate sickness that she is unable to control.
“Now we’re completely afraid of anybody who coughs, [due to] her immune system and the chemotherapy” her mother said.
It wasn’t until Tuesday, April 26, that Reilly was cleared to return to school, but only part time. However, she is making considerable progress, staying strong and tenacious throughout the whole process.
The Trammel’s were chosen this year by Student Council Advisor Al Snider, who was informed about Reilly through Mrs. Marsh.
“I spoke with the family and it took some convincing before they agreed,” Snider said.
While this year’s approach to donations was slightly different from past years, it was also very unifying.
“It’s nice that all the money goes to one charity so everybody was working towards the same charity in the beginning,” Student Council President Sam Bremmer said. “The Senior Survivor teams were supporting and buying stuff from each other because they knew it was for the same person.”
Members of the competition sold a variety of items, such as T-shirts, food, and drinks, to raise as much money as possible.
Senior Survivor member Katie Tewksbury said, “It’s different because all of the money is going to one specific person. Instead of dividing up how much you make as one individual team, you get to collectively be all in it for the same reason.”
This basis alone has brought a great deal of teamwork and coordination between all of the members, making it especially memorable for everyone involved.
This year, the Senior Survivors were able to raise a grand total of $7,660 in donations that went towards Reilly’s treatment and medical bills.
After all the hard work, time, and effort put into the fundraising, Reilly and her family would like to thank everyone involved with Senior Survivor and lending a helping hand to them in a time of need. Throughout this organization, Rilley has shown true courage, as well as the Senior Survivors who worked endlessly to make it all happen.
