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MARCH 15, 2024— What would you do to give back to those who’ve helped you along the way? A Pal-Mac High School student thought about the same question, then took action. She brightened the days of many people in the process.

Marli, a 10th grader, raised money to help children with cancer at the Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. She used the money to custom-make gift baskets for the children.

The effort was a part of the 2024 Personal Project Community Showcase, which is a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (IBMYP).

Marli and her classmates were first briefed on the outline of the project at the beginning of the school year. Students had to first set a goal based on something they found interesting. Then it was up to them to figure out what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it.

“I knew immediately what I wanted to do,” Marli said.

 

Marli

The idea was to do some sort of fundraiser for childhood cancer. But she wasn’t quite sure how she wanted to do it and who she would raise the money for, so she asked her Mom, Jessica. 

After some discussion, Marli came up with the idea of the gift baskets and the idea to fund the project by launching a GoFundMe. After thinking it over, she decided to bring the baskets to Golisano.

For Marli, it was a chance to return a favor because she was a patient at Golisano just a few years ago.

When she was just three years old, Marli began to experience stomach problems, and they wouldn’t stop. Shortly before Thanksgiving, her parents took her to get checked out.

Then came the news. Marli was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumor and was admitted to Golisano. A Wilms Tumor is a rare kidney cancer that mainly affects children ages 3-4. 

Marli's display at the Personal Project Showcase

Marli underwent several surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy. She initially stayed in the hospital for a little over a month but was finally able to go home the week of Christmas. 

While she doesn’t remember most of the experience, she did make a few friends at the hospital. She and Jessica recalled those friendships as having a positive effect on her during her treatments.

She also recalled the many visitors who stopped by to cheer her up.

“I remember people would come in with toys for me to play with, and iPads when I would get treatments done during chemo,” Marli said. “And there was always a playroom.”

Following her treatments, Marli took part in several opportunities meant to lift her spirits during the tough times. She and her family visited Disneyworld in Florida as part of the Make-A-Wish foundation. She also participated at Camp Good Days, a local camp designed to give back what cancer has taken away from a child.

Pictures from Marli's Make-A-Wish experience (provided)

Sadly, one of Marli’s good friends from the hospital, Lizzy, passed away when she was six. Marli said she was too young to understand everything at the time but has kept her memory of her with her to this day.

These combined experiences fueled her passion for giving back with the personal project. 

“Just being stuck in the hospital and being sick, you can't go home, you can't leave the hospital,” Marli said. “But small things like that definitely make some people happy and I just wanted to do something that would bring joy into their day.” 

Marli officially launched her GoFundMe page on Jan.3, with a goal to raise $250. The money would be used for supplies like games, crayons, and coloring books. She raised $500 in just a few weeks, doubling her initial goal. A family member chipped in an extra $100 afterward, bringing the total to $600.

“I didn't think I was going to necessarily get a lot of money for my project but surprisingly I did,” Marli said. “And I was able to get more things for the baskets.”

One of the completed baskets (provided)

Jessica helped Marli pick out the supplies to include in the baskets. Then it was time to design and wrap everything up. It took about a couple of weeks to get everything finalized.

The baskets included markers, fidget toys, coloring books, and crayons. Then she took it another step further and included cups and bracelets which had inspirational messages written on them. Each basket was topped off with a gift card, a chemo tracking diary, and a personal note.

In total, Marli created 12 baskets for the 12 patients currently at Golisano.

She took every little detail of the basket into consideration. The markers were meant for drawing on the walls in the showers or bathtubs, and the diary and personal notes were meant for inspiration.

“It made me as a Mom feel very proud and delighted that she felt empowered to give back to a place we had to call home,” Jessica said. “It was very moving to know that Marli wanted to pay it forward to a place that was special to her and saved her life.”

Several completed baskets (provided)

Jessica added it brought tears to her eyes to see Marli put in the work to make the project happen.

Then came time to drop the baskets off, which took place over two days during February Break. Marli was unable to go up to see the patients themselves, but still felt good knowing she was completing her mission to give back.

In a statement, Lead Child Life Specialist at GCH Jared Woodhouse said:

“Having to stay overnight in the hospital can be difficult for anyone, but especially children.  The boxes Marli put together for the patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital will put smiles on so many patient’s faces.  Her generosity in giving back to the place she spent so much time is admirable.”

Marli at Golisano with the baskets (Provided)

In addition to the fundraising aspect of the project, Marli also did some research. She looked closer at the type of cancer she had, as well as the available resources for families with a child who has cancer.

Her teacher, Ms.Massucco says the research is often based on the initial goal a student like Marli creates at the beginning of the project.

"[Marli] was able to just grab [the essence of the project] and do something really special and meaningful to her," Massucco said. "And I think it really helps other people, so I'm really proud of her for that."

With the project complete, the GoFundMe was ended, but Marli took time to reflect on her journey from patient to paying it forward. As of our interview, she was officially 12 years cancer-free.

Marli said she chooses to live her life to the fullest every day and does her best to not let the little things stop her. The student who was at one point too sick to play any sports is now a three-sport athlete, splitting her time between the basketball, lacrosse, and soccer teams.

“I'm doing great,” Marli said. “I have great friends, I have a good family.”

She also undergoes yearly checkups.

Marli (left) during a JV Basketball game

Marli shared her story on a large poster board during the project showcase on March 13. She included several pictures of her time in the hospital and her many fun trips following treatment.

On the table in front of the poster board was a collage of pictures, which included a tribute to Lizzy.

Marli says she hopes to do another fundraiser for childhood cancer down the road. She also hopes to one day enter the oncology field.

“I saw how well the doctors treated me and I want to do something like that, “ Marli said. “Even if it's as a nurse, or just working at a hospital with younger kids who are going through treatment.”

Marli started the project process with an idea to pay it forward. While it did cost some time and money, putting the smiles on the faces of some kids going through the same journey she went through, is priceless.

 

 

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