Girl’s Cross Country raises awareness, “Cammy Can”
October 16, 2012
Kelly Schoessling
“My name is Cameron. I’m 1 in 10,000. I look like any other 3 year old. I cannot walk, talk, or purposefully use my hands, but I hear you.”
These are the first of many phrases as well as other facts on the new posters that seem to be covering the stairways. These posters are currently promoting T-shirt sales this week to bring forth awareness to Rett syndrome.
Girl’s Cross Country is currently selling t-shirts at lunch hours to help raise money and bring awareness to Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome, which occurs mostly in young girls, is a syndrome that brings forth numerous symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other serious anxiety disorders.
The syndrome is also being researched because it is likely that it could a key step in unlocking the mysteries to other disease such as: autism, schizophrenia, and mental retardation.
Though t-shirt sales will help promote Rett syndrome, the sales are also bringing forth attention to one brave little girl with the syndrome, Cameron Babiarz. Babiarz is family friends with Girl’s Cross Country coach Pete Wintermute, who in her honor named the project, “Cammy Can.”
The T-shirts to help support Babiarz and Rett syndrome awareness are currently being sold in the Commons for $10 from Oct. 15 to Oct. 16, as well as the Prospect Invitational on Oct. 16.
“It’s not about raising funds, there was a time and a place for that,” Wintermute said. “We’re raising awareness to the students; not everyone can walk and talk.”
As the last few phrases on the posters read, “Rett is messing with the wrong kid. Cammy Can.”
To learn more about the “Cammy Can” project or to donate visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/cameron-babiarz/2012chicagomarathon-werunsocammycan