LYNN — A school tradition hit home this year when Cobbet Elementary School students collected coins for cancer research in the name of one of their own.

Flashing a dimpled smile and a black sport coat first-grader Diego Cornejo said he is feeling good after having his chemotherapy catheter removed only days ago. The six year old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the body’s white blood cells, in 2010. “He’s our little hero,” said school nurse Carol Hatch who organized the fund raiser.

Best buddies, from left, Jezebel Cardona, Danny Lopez, and Diego Cornejo, all first-grade students at the Cobbet Elementary School in Lynn. (Item Photo / Owen O'Rourke)

Flashing a dimpled smile and a black sport coat first-grader Diego Cornejo said he is feeling good after having his chemotherapy catheter removed only days ago. The six year old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the body’s white blood cells, in 2010. “He’s our little hero,” said school nurse Carol Hatch who organized the fund raiser.

ALL is considered the most common type of leukemia, affecting nearly 60 percent of all kids but advances in therapy and clinical trials has resulted in an 85 percent cure rate. While Cornejo missed out on kindergarten due to his illness, Hatch said he seems to be enjoying first grade and is making great strides. “I like school,” he said softly. “It’s fun.”

Fourth-grader Davin Alegria said he didn’t know Cornejo but he brought in a big bag of pennies just the same. “Some was from me and some was from my cousin,” he said. “We donate to anybody who needs it.”

Hatch said it is at least the fourth year that the school has held the fund-raising drive that asks students donate change for cancer research. “The money won’t go to Diego’s treatment but we’ll donate it in his name,” she explained.

Students had roughly three weeks to bring gather change for the cause. Hatch said she’s counted $200 thus far but estimates the 618 member student body has donated about $500. “I’m very proud of them,” she said. “Its a very diverse and low-income school and I think it’s great that they all participated.”

Jezebel Cardona, Cornejo’s classmate, said their class read a book about cancer, which is something she is already familiar with. “One of my friends in my old school had it,” she said. Hatch said Cardona does a good job keeping an eye on Cornejo.

“She’s like a little mother. If he has to come to the nurse’s office she escorts him and she tells me if he looks tired,” she said. “I told her mother that (Cardona) would make a great nurse.”

It was school nurse Priscilla Hamilton who began the collection program though the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “It was very near and dear to my friend Priscilla’s heart,” Hatch said. “It is my first year doing it.”

The leukemia foundation in conjunction with The Olive Garden restaurant will provide a pizza/pasta party for class that raised the most money.

Thanks to the Lynn Item for use of this story and photo.
Chris Stevens can be reached at cstevens@itemlive.com.

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