Case Middle School pupil raises money for friend’s cancer treatment

When Morgan K. Richards, 12, found out her friend had a malignant brain tumor, she wanted to help him fight for his life.

The Case Middle School seventh-grader spent the past month selling nearly $250 worth of bracelets, magnets and bookmarks for Ethan Mendenhall, a 7-year-old boxing enthusiast in Utah.

“His mom baby-sat me when I was little,” Morgan said. “He has neuroblastoma. He has to fly out to New York City every two months for treatment.”

The fundraising idea was born when her mother, Tina J. Richards, found out the school was celebrating National Breast Cancer Week. Mrs. Richards is friends with Jeromy and Shantiell Mendenhall, Ethan’s parents, and told her daughter about the 7-year-old’s tumor in September.

“My mom said a lot of people support breast cancer, but not a lot of people support children with cancer,” she said.

Rather than wear pink, she supported her friend, whom she knew since he was an infant, by wearing yellow. Weeks later, she approached Terry L. Gonseth, Case Middle School principal, to ask if she could raise money at school. Selling or fundraising is not usually allowed unless a student receives special permission from district Superintendent Terry N. Fralick.

“I was all for it,” Mr. Gonseth said. “Anytime here where a kid is trying to help another student, it’s refreshing.”

Morgan enlisted her family to help make the bracelets, all of which incorporated yellow beads, as well as yellow ribbon magnets and unusual bookmarks.

“Having to watch someone else’s kids go through something like this is hard,” Mrs. Richards said tearfully. “It’s been special. She’s kind of taken him in as her brother and wanted to help him.”

Morgan used her last period, the advisory period, to sell her wares. The school began implementing the period for the school year to help students get organized at the end of the day. Another seventh-grader, Casey Price, helped Morgan by going from classroom to classroom to raise money.

Morgan said she believes Case students and staff members have been supportive. A social studies teacher bought enough bracelets for his entire class for $1 apiece.

“I originally wanted to make $100, but halfway through the month, we already had $150,” she said.

She decided $200 was going to be her next goal to donate, but she went above that amount as well. Mr. Gonseth kept track of the money and will hand it over to the family now that the project is over.

“It’s one of those random acts of kindness that we talk about all the time,” he said. “This takes it to a different level. You don’t see that a whole lot.”

Anyone interested in supporting Morgan’s cause may call Mr. Gonseth at 785-3871.