NEWBERRY,Fla. (WCJB) — A Newberry commissioner is ready to possibly embarrass himself on live tv during Saturday’s gameday festivities by dressing up as Thomas Jefferson in order to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.
We met with the Newberry elementary teacher who was recently diagnosed with cancer and will receive all of the fundraised money for her medical bills.
Kelly Wyckoff is a fifth-generation Newberry resident who’s life changed when two days after her 50th birthday she found a lump on her breast and was diagnosed with cancer.
“I thought it was a simple deal, stage one and caught it early and then in a week it went from stage one to I had stage 4 and I was told I have a year left to live. I’ve started chemotherapy and immunotherapy now and i’m not taking no for an answer, we’re going to fight it.”
Fundraisers to help kelly with her medical bills have popped up across Newberry but one commissioner decided to take it a little further with the incentive of him dressing up as a founding father to try and get on national tv if the community can raise one-thousand dollars for Kelly.
“I have a Thomas Jefferson costume already for some gimmicks I’ve done and little fundraisers it wasn’t actually too far of a stretch and it actually came with a tie in for breast cancer awareness month. Kelly Wyckoff who was recently diagnosed, she’s a pillar of the community and it was just something we could do for her.”
Kelly says she’s been blown away by all the support but doesn’t want all the attention to be about helping her. Instead, she wants to spread the message of how self-examinations can save lives.
“I want people to do self-examinations, take it seriously, don’t put off your mammograms and doctors appointments you are your own best advocate. So please take some time for self-care and get yourself checked.”
She says explaining to her first-graders wasn’t easy but after their initial barrage of questions, mostly about her losing her hair, their constant support has helped Kelly know not quitting her job was the right choice.
“They just offer love and hugs and want to know if I feel good today how am I feeling am I having a good day. they’re a joy for me to teach and it makes it easier to come in every day and work with such amazing kids
You can help donate to the cause by going to the link provided below, all money raised will go directly to Kelly’s medical bills.
Link to Fundraiser : paypal.me/tmardenusa
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