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25 · Friday, June 25, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER REMEMBERING A BRAVE CLASSMATE: Grade 8 student Krysta Peralto (fourth from left) and her fellow school mates hold a banner as they walk in memory of Krysta's sister Tamya, at St. Marguerite d'Youville on June 16, which would have been Tamya's 12th birthday. Tamya passed away from cancer when she was nine. At right, Tamya's mom, Shirley, wipes away a tear as she speakers about her daughter during the school's morning announcements. Funds from the third annual walk will support Camp Ooch, a camp for children with cancer, which Tamya attended. Walk honours memory of young Tamya Peralto at St. Marguerite Students and staff at St. Marguerite d'Youville rallied last week in memory of Tamya Teresa Peralto. Tamya was three when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, according to St. Marguerite teacher Theresa Merritt. A cancer of the central nervous system, it is very difficult to treat if diagnosed past the age of two. Tamya endured numerous surgeries, therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation, retinoid, stem cell transplant, high-dose radiation in Philadelphia and clinical trials in Washington. Tamya was a student at St. Marguerite D'Youville elementary school in Oakville until the end of Grade 3. She died shortly after her ninth birthday. Tamya epitomized courage and hope and the students of St. Marguerite rallied behind her, said Merritt. They brought in Beanie Babies to place in her blanket, made by the mother of one of her friends, Lisa Shiavonne, and donated the remaining Beanies to Camp Oochigeas. One parent, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased a bench bearing Tamya's name, which is placed in the Peace Garden at St. Marguerite. Camp Oochigeas (Ooch) is a camp for children in various stages of cancer. It is staffed by volunteers, including oncologists and nurses. Tamya enjoyed trips to Camp Ooch and despite her illness, participated in all the activities, including rock climbing and water skiing. Her sister, Krysta, continues to participate in the activities of its sister organization, Camp Teomul, which allows the siblings of children with cancer to have fun, while offering each other support and understanding. Tamya's brother, Dante, will also be go there. Tamya is survived by her parents, Shelley and Dane, who continue to work to make Tamya's life meaningful and to inspire others through her courage, said Merritt. On June 16, Tamya's birthday, the students of St. Marguerite d'Youville participated in their third annual walk to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to raise money for Camp Ooch. Inspired by Tamya's love of life, the students walked together, J.K. to Grade 8, to help others who are bravely fighting childhood cancer. May Court helps HDSA look to future with Mirror, Mirror Continued from page 24 -- pre-school, Kindergarten, school-aged and teen. Currently winding up that pilot, Kirk said the project, which has been evaluated daily, will be reviewed in total with an eye to moving it to a Phase II stage over the next year. The HDSA Learning and Resource Centre is a unique educational initiative for people with Down syndrome that provides dynamic, multi-disciplinary programs in a confidence-building environment. The comprehensive program develops and builds on the fundamental skills, tools and opportunities required for people with Down syndrome. It aims to help them thrive, excel and become contributing members of the community. The LRC has been a team effort, bringing together key service providers, educators, parents and volunteers -- all with a desire to promote, celebrate and maximize the remarkable potential of people with Down syndrome. Phase One of the LRC was made possible in part through the generosity of key sponsoring organizations, such as The May Court Club of Oakville. Leanne Kirk Other funding sources included The Rotary Club of Burlington, as well as individual and corporate donors through HDSA's inaugural gala fundraiser Jazz It Up! held last November. "The May Court Club of Oakville has been a long-term partner of HDSA and we are very honoured and grateful to be the prime beneficiary at this year's Mirror Mirror 2010 Fashion Show. The funds generated from this event will help the HDSA with the next phase of the Learning and Resource Centre," said Michael LeClair, executive director of the LRC. Terry Wells Down syndrome is a chromosomal arrangement characterized by extra genetic material on the 21st chromosome. Children with Down syndrome develop at varying rates so the HDSA exists to optimize their development with a view "to enabling the children to become responsible, self-sufficient, fully-integrated members of the community who are accepted by their peers and able to lead happy, productive lives." Along that route, the HDSA began a mother's support group in 2007. It spawned a parents' group and Cathy Doucher from it grew an entire package of information for parents new to the HDSA. In 2007, when the HDSA first applied to the May Court Club of Oakville -- Canada's oldest service club and one established in Oakville since 1954 -- it was the sincerity behind the ask for a mere $1,500 for the mother's support group that touched the heart of the club's president Cathy Doucher. "They were just so sincere. It just got you right there," said Doucher. "The biggest reward was the next year when they applied again and showed us what they did with the $1,500. We were just floored," said Doucher. That led to a $5,000 commitment from the service club and helped fund the new learning centre project. Now, Doucher and Terry Wells, as co-chairs of the club's Mirror, Mirror 2010 fashion show fundraiser, have arranged to earmark a large portion of the show's proceeds to assist the HDSA in achieving Phase II of its learning resource centre. While the show is not until next fall, sponsorship and silent auction items are welcome as planning is well under way. The show will be Oct. 14 from 510 p.m. at the Oakville Conference Centre at Bronte Road/QEW. Tickets cost $125 per person. The evening will begin with cocktails, include a gourmet dinner and silent auction and the fashion show -- the best for fall and winter and the approaching holiday season. The fact that the fashion show will benefit the HDSA is meaningful to the association as the fundraiser does traditionally garner at least $50,000. For more information, visit www.maycourt.ca or www.haltondownsyndrome.com.