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You would see the enjoyment in her eyes, and on her face regardless of the masks—Katelyn Slater rang her most cancers bell with enthusiasm—as she ended 829 days of IV chemotherapy final month. And, the at-home oral remedy earlier this month. The grade 3 Walter and Gladys Hill Public Faculty (WGH) pupil marked the special day along with her dad and mom, Michelle and Chris, and the college group. 

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All the college was embellished with unicorns and messages of encouragement as Katelyn, 8, walked the hallways ringing the bell alongside along with her pals, and employees. 

In June 2019, Katelyn was recognized with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a uncommon type of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma whereas she was in Kindergarten; and was handled on the Stollery Kids’s Hospital. Her dad and mom mentioned the college has been an enormous help throughout her journey.

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“It’s overwhelming that it’s been so lengthy. We’ve been so concerned that we didn’t wish to look too far forward and it feels so good to lastly be right here and have this help. That is very particular,” mentioned her dad and mom after the ceremony.

Brendan Toner, Principal, WGH, discovered of Katelyn’s situation when he joined the college three years in the past as Principal. He shares the background for the occasion. 

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“Katelyn’s mother instructed us that she was nearing completion of her remedies. She talked about the bell-ringing course of on the Stollery. I felt that we wanted to share a chance for her to rejoice in school, so we began to speak about what that seemed like. I referred to as it a ‘victory lap.’ We each agreed it could be a fantastic thought and Ms. Hrovat began to have a look at the small print,” shares Toner.

“Courses embellished their doorways in a unicorn theme as Katelyn is our unicorn. Katelyn was shy, however she walked down the halls with two pals ringing her bell good and loud, whereas lessons cheered. She met her class exterior they usually got bells to ring as a crew. From there, Ms. Hrovat acquired her a particular bell that we’ll maintain on the college as a token of the special occasion,” Toner added.

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He provides, Katelyn’s dad and mom appreciated the wonderful gesture, and the college group was past supporting.

“I believe Michelle and Chris appreciated the possibility to have Katelyn rejoice her accomplishments on the college. The Slater household has been by way of lots and Katelyn is a survivor. They’ve shared that the college was a optimistic mild for Katelyn through the remedy.

“Our children understood why we have been celebrating. They did a fantastic job bringing enthusiasm and sharing on this particular second. Her class particularly was very excited they may do that collectively.”

“Over the past couple of years now we have needed to take care of quite a lot of detrimental issues which have brought on quite a lot of stress. Nevertheless, whenever you stack that up in opposition to a baby struggling to beat most cancers, the entire points with Covid, floods, and anything turns into insignificant.

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“Acknowledging the wonderful story of her battle, speaking to the dad and mom, and placing your self in her footwear is actual stuff that makes your entire different issues pale compared. It additionally makes you wish to share her victory with the world. WGH is tremendous pleased with her braveness and resilience coping with a nightmare state of affairs,” Toner provides.

Method to go Katelyn. We’re all so pleased with you. We want you everlasting well being and happiness. 

-with information from Daybreak Sales space, FMPSD communications coordinator

Doing What’s Finest for Youngsters. For extra data on any of our 16 colleges, go to: fmpsdschools.ca. For actual time updates: observe us on Twitter: @FMPSD and like us on Fb: Fort McMurray Public Faculty Division. We’re additionally on Instagram @FMPSD.

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