He wants to help other students avoid the emotional turmoil he went through. He said he had a speech impediment, due to an accident at the age of 3, up until the sixth grade and as a result was picked on, mocked and teased in school. Anti-bullying efforts are close to the heart of Erebus co-owner Ed Terebus. Erebus, a four-story haunted attraction in Pontiac, is participating in the program. We are pleased to support the efforts of Don’t Be a Monster.” Don’t Be a Monster began in 2012 and is a joint effort between haunted houses and nonprofit organizations around the country. “We care about the youth in our community and want to help them understand how name calling, teasing, spreading rumors, leaving people out and other actions can hurt people. “Studies show that 28 percent of students in grades 6-12 experience bullying and that 70.6 percent of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools,” Genisys President and CEO Jackie Buchanan said. Don’t Be a Monster is an anti-bullying program that seeks to educate youth about bullying, diversity and inclusiveness while empowering them to stand up for their peers and make positive choices for themselves. Genisys CU is helping to spread that message to local students by partnering with Erebus Haunted Attraction and Olympia Entertainment’s local stage favorite Evil Dead: The Musical at the City Theatre to bring the national program Don’t Be a Monster to local middle schools in southeast Michigan. The Halloween season is full of fun, but it’s not funny to be singled out, picked on or bullied by your peers. I’ll fight for clinical research and cures until the day I die.” “(Cancer) is such an ugly disease, it doesn’t care who it attacks. “I’m doing now what I know he’d want me to do,” she said. I’m proud of him.” Thomas continues Brian’s fight today. I see him honored a lot, even now – it’s inspiring. “His picture is up in the locker room … there is a football award named after him. “It’s amazing how three years go by and you think people forget, but they don’t,” Thomas said. Thomas and Widdows work side by side in organizing the game and gaining community sponsors and support for the annual event. He is truly a remarkable coach, friend and family man.” Thanks to Widdows, Sterling Heights’ students and staff, and community supporters, Brian Thomas’ legacy lives on. “It was probably one of the hardest phone calls I had to make after Brian died,” said Paula Thomas, Brian’s mother about delivering the news to Widdows. Despite his tough will to live, fierce strength and amazing community support, Thomas died on Sept. Thomas was diagnosed with stage 4 right from the start. Thomas was going to be the starting quarterback his senior year. During Thomas’ time at SHHS, and through his fight against cancer, he and Widdows developed a special bond. Proceeds also will benefit The Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer and Research. Thomas chose Alex’s Lemonade Stand as the recipient of the annual proceeds before he died. The organization’s mission is to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes and research into new treatments and cures. Proceeds from the game benefit the CORD Foundation through Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization started by 4-year-old Alex who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday. “We are grateful to serve with these great folks from Sterling Heights High School. Jude and WYCD to bring a greater awareness to these efforts to inform the community about a variety of cancers and to support students and their families in making our world a better place,” Extra Marketing Manager Amy Persyn said. “It is a great honor to stand beside our partners at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the game as a resource to raise awareness about cancer and to bring attention to the school’s effort. “Our football program wants to represent all the types of cancers that affect our community.” Extra CU partnered with 99.5 WYCD and St. “The game is meant to bring our community together for a common cause-to support the fighters, admire the survivors, and honor the taken, ” Sterling Heights football coach Brent Widdows said before the game. 26 when the Stallions took on the Marine City Mariners. Thomas, as well as others who have battled the disease, was honored at Sterling Heights’ fourth annual cancer awareness game on Sept. It belonged to one of the school’s own-a junior, Brian Thomas-who touched the hearts of many and left his strength and determination in his fight against cancer as an inspiration to the thousands of students who followed, many of whom never had a chance to pass him in the halls with a “what’s up,” high five him after a good game, or dance with him at Homecoming. But at Sterling Heights High School, the No.
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