Special
Events -- Kids Raising Awareness and Funds for Cousin
Winter 2006
On Valentine’s Day in 2006, Morgan Meinert wanted to teach her friends and peers about pulmonary hypertension. Morgan’s cousin, David Rocco, was diagnosed with PH in 2002, and she’s been committed to education and awareness raising in her community. She and her seven-year-old little sister bought dozens of “PHenomenal Hope” wristbands and made them into Valentine’s Day cards to raise awareness among her peers. This year, just in time for Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh-raised Morgan sewed fleece scarves made with the black and gold colors of the Steelers football team, which also happen to be her school’s colors. The McKnight Elementary School principal, Mr. Steven Parks, was highly supportive of Morgan and her school project and gave her permission to do the fundraiser during school. With the help of her good friend Shannon Hickey (pictured on right of Morgan above), Morgan sold the scarves to her teachers, their families and to her school and community, and raise awareness and funds for the PH community!
Soon after we learned of this V-Day fundraiser, we received a letter singing their praises from McKnight Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Penn., where Morgan and Shannon attend the fourth grade. The twosome raised $1,240 for PH research, and their teacher, Diane Regule praised their work:
“They far succeeded my expectations! …I wanted to let you know…as an educator I am extremely proud of my two fourth-grade students for not only accomplishing and succeeding in such a great school fundraiser, but for the life lesson that the two girls learned in regard to pursuing an interest that benefits others instead of oneself.”
PHA salutes the work of all young volunteers and advocates of the PH community, as well as the teachers and administrators who support their work.
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