Several dozen students and teachers at Ecole Ste-Lucie took to the field Friday to create inspiration and raise money for one of their own.
Seven-year-old Madison Primeau, a beautiful blue-eyed little girl whom teachers at school have described as a ray of sunshine is in an Ottawa hospital bed right now, battling brain cancer.
The school and indeed the entire city has rallied to her cause, sending much-needed love, support and money to her family.
On Friday students at Ecole Ste-Lucie turned their annual Terry Fox Run into a Madison Primeau run - collecting a little more than $4,700 for her family as they cope with increased cost of living expenses and a reduction in income while attending to her bedside.
Her uncle Guy Primeau, who was at the run Friday, said the support from the school and the region has been tremendous.
"The whole community, the support has been amazing," he said. "People we know - people we don't know have been so supportive."
Madison's grandmother, Colette Primeau, summed it up thusly: "Right now I am so overwhelmed."
The family members watched as students of all ages walked, jogged and ran circuits around the Ste-Lucie property.
Micheline Martel, a teacher and one of the architects of the run, said they are tring their best to remain positive for Madison.
"It's been a perfect day," she said. "The kids have been wonderful.
"We're just trying to send our positive energy to her right now."
Madison can use all the help she can get. She is undergoing combined chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) with her father by her side. Her mother and twin brothers remain in Cornwall.
Family members have taken turns visiting, including Madison’s mother who spends as much time as she can, but continuing to raise two young children while earning the sole income makes it difficult.
This is the second time that the family was struck with cancer.
Eleven years ago, Madison’s father was diagnosed with lymphoma that he eventually defeated.
For more information, or to help the family out, contact Carol-Ann Villeneuve Primeau at 613-938-1694 or e-mail cavilleneuve@cogeco.ca.
Join the Facebook page at Team Madison.
