Cornish kids create cancer CD
by Blake Wolfe/The Scugog Standard

A group of local students and their teacher have penned a rallying cry to both commemorate cancer survivors and help raise money in the ongoing fight against the disease.

R.H. Cornish Public School teacher Joe Whitfeld and his Grade 5 students recently released ‘We Cancervive,’ a song written by the teacher and featuring contributions from 31 local students at the Port Perry school. CD copies of the song, which served as background music at the recent North Durham Student Relay For Life in Port Perry last month, are being sold to help generate funds for cancer research and so far, the class project has sold more than 200 copies, generating more than $1,200 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Mr. Whitfeld said that the song project was inspired by two of his students, whose mothers had recently survived their battle with the disease and spoke to students of their experience. That, said Mr. Whitfeld, encouraged his class to make a difference.

“Some of these kids gave up their recess and stayed after school to make it happen,” said Mr. Whitfeld, a musician in his spare time who penned the song with his students and recorded the final product himself. At least two of his students - Emily and Natalie - said they are now considering music as a career path following the project.

Describing the songwriting process as “fun” and “awesome,” a handful of Mr. Whitfeld’s students shared their thoughts on the project with The Standard:

“It was really fun knowing that we could help someone with a CD.” - Ryan

“We took lots of time off class but it’s awesome having a teacher who knows how to sing.” - Kevin

“It was a good learning experience, learning how to sing into a microphone and how to use the equipment.” - Emily

“We wrote a song and it raised money - it’s a big success.” - Natalie

“It was a pleasure to do and the kids did an amazing job,” said Mr. Whitfeld.

The students will be performing the song at two upcoming events - the annual Dragon Flies Dragon Boat Festival in Palmer Park (June 19) and the 2010 North Durham Relay For Life, taking place at the Sunderland Fairgrounds in Brock on June 25 and 26.

Copies of ‘We Cancervive’ are available at the school for $2 for students or $5 for adults. The class has also set up a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107346792643718&ref=ts.