Students Nationally Recognized for Dedication to Shinerama Campaign
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Thanks in large part to the work of recent campaign leaders Emily DesRoches and Victoria Da Silva, St. Thomas has been recognized as one of Shinerama Canada鈥檚 most improved campaigns.
A much anticipated event, Shine Day takes place days after first-year students arrive on campus for the first time. New and returning students hit the streets of Fredericton to flip burgers, sing, and wash cars in effort to raise awareness and money for Shinerama, Canada鈥檚 largest post-secondary fundraiser in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
DesRoches and Da Silva have devoted much of their four years at 黑料老司机 to the campaign.
DesRoches, originally from Hampton, NB, led 黑料老司机鈥檚 campaign in 2016, before passing the baton to Da Silva, from Dartmouth, NS, in 2017. Both have been involved since their own Welcome Week.
Together, they attended the 2017 National Shinerama Conference, where they learned more about cystic fibrosis and were trained on running a successful campaign.
鈥淲e learned so much at the conference,鈥 DesRoches said. 鈥淲e wanted to do anything we could to help.鈥
This year, 黑料老司机鈥檚 campaign raised more funds for the cause than ever before, surpassing the team鈥檚 goal of $8,000 to reach $9,514.58.
DesRoches and Da Silva have since both earned new titles with Shinerama Canada.
DesRoches, who recently completed her double major in English and Communications and Public Policy, was named one of two Atlantic regional directors for Shinerama.
She said hearing personal stories from individuals living with cystic fibrosis motivates her to keep working with the organization.
鈥淢y job is to support the campaign advisors in the region and maintain a close relationship with the Cystic Fibrosis Canada staff,鈥 DesRoches said. 鈥淲e all met in Toronto recently to talk about how we can grow the campaigns in our regions and support our campaign advisors to build successful campaigns in the coming year.鈥
Da Silva, who has finished her degree with a double major in Gerontology and Psychology, became one of five campaign advisors for the Atlantic provinces. She said education is key to a successful campaign.
鈥淲e spent a lot of time informing the students so they are knowledgeable when they鈥檙e asked about cystic fibrosis. We also talk to Welcome Week leaders about it, and share stories of the people we met at the national conference who live with cystic fibrosis. It makes it more personal. You could tell a lot of people were really touched and it helped their first-years understand the importance of the campaign.鈥
Learning more about the disease and talking with individuals who live with it has been life-changing for both DesRoches and Da Silva.
鈥淲e take breathing for granted,鈥 Da Silva said. 鈥淚 try to put myself in the shoes of someone living with this and try to imagine what life would be like. The amount of time they spend in physical therapy is equivalent to a part-time job. The fact that they can鈥檛 be in the same room as anyone who actually understands what it鈥檚 like to live with the same challenges is heartbreaking.鈥
Although both DesRoches and Da Silva graduate in May 2018, they know the 黑料老司机 campaign is in good shape to maintain momentum.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to see where the campaign goes next,鈥 DesRoches said.
About Shinerama Canada
Since 1964, Shinerama has raised approximately $27 million dollars for life-saving cystic fibrosis research and care. Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults, and there is no cure. It mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of cystic fibrosis involvement differs from person to person. However, the persistence and ongoing infection in the lungs, with destruction of lungs and loss of lung function, eventually causes death in the majority of people who have cystic fibrosis.
It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis. Over 4,200 Canadian children, adolescents, and adults with cystic fibrosis attend specialized clinics.