RANDOLPH COUNTY, NC -- All month, the Good Morning Show has been highlighting amazing Triad teachers.
And this is definitely in the amazing category. Samantha Edwards is a middle schooler at Uwharrie Middle School. But she's not your average student! She's a wrestler, she's beating cancer, and her teacher and school stepped up to help!
Samantha, her mom Lisa, and that teacher Miss Danielle Scott joined Lauren Melvin on the Good Morning Show this morning to share their story.
Samantha found a knot on her throat and learned it was a type of thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove the cancer, but genetic testing to determine the severity of the incident was not covered by insurance, which created a financial strain on the family.
When Ms. Scott heard about Samantha's diagnosis, she decided to help! The came up with the idea to sell bracelets as a fundraiser. Samantha helped design her bracelets and wanted everyone to be aware that anyone can get cancer. It does not discriminate. Samantha was a perfectly healthy student one day and that all changed in one day.
The 6th grade team donated $100 to buy 400 bracelets. These sold out the first day of the campaign. They ordered 400 more, but they were gone in 2 days. So they decided to place a big order and Ms. Scott said the outpouring of love was overwhelming.
Scott decided to contact the other middle schools in Randolph County, thinking at least their school’s wrestling teams would want to help. They sent bracelets to several other elementary, middle, and high schools in the area and they've all sold bracelets to her #StandUpWithSamantha.
They just want everyone to realize that you need to take your health seriously. They say it might not seem like a knot is a big deal, but it can be and people need to be aware.
When asked why she was doing this, Ms. Scott said, "Besides the fact that Samantha is such a joy and has never let her smile from her face, I knew I had to do something." She also had a personal family experience with a young family member battling cancer and remembered how a local high school had helped out.
To date, they have raised $3,500 from bracelets alone. Uwharrie Middle School's Students Council, Drama Club, and Service Club have also done fundraisers. Together they have raised almost $5000.
Samantha's family isn't originally from the Triad and said the outpouring of support has meant a lot to their family!
If you want to help Samantha and her family with medical bills, click here to donate to their GoFundMe Page.
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