Students and staff from St. Charles Catholic School recently participated in the ‘Johnathan Hetu Walk For Cancer’ in and around the school yard. Johnathan was a student at St. Charles Catholic School until he passed away with cancer in 2004. He was 13 years old when he passed away. The annual walk is a fundraiser for the Northern Ontario Family’s of Children with cancer which is the organization that supported Johnathan and his family during his struggle with cancer.

The school raised $5,400.00 for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. The “Johnathan Hetu Award” was presented at the end of the walk to Alexander Predon, a grade 7 student. This is the second presentation and it will become a annual event. Last year Kerissa Blacklock won the award. The award goes to a student who participates in sports and has a positive attitude.

Johnathan died of cancer in September 2004. He participated in sports even though he was undergoing treatment, in part because he was afraid of being forgotten and alone. Johnathan was remembered yesterday, and St. Charles School hopes to continue to remember him each year through this award as they help other children and families who are living with cancer.