While many seniors are solely focused on classes, friends, and college, three seniors at Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek, CA were more worried about Greg Johnson and his struggle with cancer.  Greg Johnson plays many roles at the school including Dean of Students and Coach and has had the opportunity to influence and affect many students, especially Kate Roberson, Zach Farrar, and Allen Chung. 

(Pictured left to right - Coach Greg Johnson (inspiration), Kimberly
Ferrara (Founder YouCure.org), Alan Chung, Zach Farrar, and Kate
Roberson with generous gifts of  PSPs from Sony Playstation)

These three seniors took it upon themselves to bring attention to Coach Johnson’s situation and to raise money for cancer research that would bring about new treatments to help Coach Johnson in his ongoing struggle and to create cures to prevent others from suffering in the future.

With this goal in mind, Kate, Zach, and Allen planned, organized, and completed a Walk-a-Thon for the Cancer Research Foundation honoring Coach Johnson.  Their inspiration and enthusiasm spurred on the students, families, and community to raise more than $6000 to benefit the Cancer Research Foundation, a national, non-profit, public charity.

The donation check will be presented, in-person, to Kimberly Ferrara, Founder and President of the Cancer Research Foundation, during their holiday assembly at Berean Christian High School at 7pm on Friday, December 15, 2006.  Ms. Ferrara states: “We are extremely proud of the initiative of the students and the community at Berean Christian High School.  Their event not only raised a significant donation for cancer research but it also emphasized the importance and reward of charity (no matter the cause); a practice that will hopefully continue throughout their lives.  We are thrilled to watch more young adults like this influence our society.”

For more information about this year’s Walk-A-Thon or the presentation of the donation to the Cancer Research Foundation, please contact Jewell Chung at jchung@berean-eagles.org

(This speech was read to the Berean Christian High School community on December 15, 2006)...

Hello, My name is Kimberly Ferrara and I am the President and Founder of the Cancer Research Foundation.  Our sole purpose is to raise funds for cancer research.  I started the Cancer Research Foundation not only for personal reasons but also in response to an overwhelming cry for research funding from researchers and individuals like Lance Armstrong: all of whom recognized the importance of stopping cancer at its source.

Cancer is a very smart disease and it continues to grow and change and spread.  It is smart, but… we are smarter!

By supporting the leading cancer research centers across the nation, we are able to pool our intelligence and resources, combat the disease from many angles, and find the cures we desperately need.

But (and there is always a “but”), a cure will not be possible without funding.

This is one of the reasons that I was so impressed with and proud of the initiative of the students and community at Berean Christian High School.  Your event not only raised a significant donation for cancer research but it also emphasized the importance and personal reward of charity (no matter the cause); a practice that will hopefully continue throughout your lives.

On that note, I would like to invite Principle Noriega, Kate Roberson, Zach Farrar, and Allen Chung up to accept some gifts of appreciation.

First, I would like to thank these three students for their efforts: for looking beyond themselves and for honoring their coach and mentor, Greg Johnson, who has meant so much to them.  Sony Playstation heard of your efforts and wanted to help us say “Thank You.”  Together, we would like to present each of you with a Sony PSP.

Next, the Cancer Research Foundation would like to present Principle Noreiga, on behalf of Berean Christian High School, with a plaque of acknowledgement and appreciation. 

Finally, we would like to individually thank each of the participants and organizers of the Walk-a-Thon with a “YouCure” bracelet.  We will be outside after the program to pass out bracelets and to answer any questions that you might have.

Once again, I would like to thank you for all of your efforts and to wish you a very happy holiday.