Sterling High School students donate $4,000 to support CGH Health Foundation

STERLING — A group of Sterling High School students are trying to do their part to support community health services.

SHS’s Student Council presented a $4,000 check Monday to Executive Director Amanda Blaine and Development Officer Sierra Bushman of the CGH Health Foundation. The CGH Health Foundation is a nonprofit that supports the healthcare initiatives and services provided by CGH Medical Center.

Blaine said the money will help support several of the foundation’s initiatives, including free mammograms, special support items and meals for oncology patients.

“If a patient comes to us without insurance or with a super high deductible, the foundation also pays for biopsies, MRIs, CT scans and any other test that might come up,” Blaine said. “We never want cost to be an issue for patients to come to CGH. We also have a cancer case oncology navigator. She helps our cancer patients find any resources that they may need.”

The CGH Health Foundation supports 15 projects, including health education, financial assistance programs, dementia support and women’s health. It also provides $30,000 in scholarships to local students each year.

SHS teacher Nicole Schlemmer said the Student Council raised the money during its 11th annual Crazy for a Cure fundraiser, which includes 50/50 raffles, community donations and cancer T-shirt sales. They also hold two fund-raising events during student basketball games, where students present flowers to cancer survivors in the stands.

“A lot of local businesses donate raffle items and baked goods,” Schlemmer said. “We have the elementary schools do pajama and hat days for donations. It really is a community effort in the end.”

Student Council President Adamari Gutierrez said the student group is involved in several school and community initiatives, including visits to local nursing homes and elementary schools and school events such as prom and visits with SHS’s Life Skills students.

“Last year, we started doing a districtwide field day,” Gutierrez said. “We have all of the schools and the special education classes come to our turf, and we set up different stations for activities like relays and other fun stuff. We also had Kona Ice come in. It’s always a super fun and awesome time.”

For more information on the CGH Health Foundation, visit cghmc.com or call 815-625-0400, ext. 5672.