Silas Wood really cares about the CARES Foundation! The 2nd Annual Silas Wood Cares All-School Walk was held on May 16th, 2024. At 1:30 pm, Mr. Toto called down all students on every team and all their teachers to head to the back field at Silas to start the walk to raise money to help those with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). Everybody walked or ran at least four laps, and some did even more. Some students wore CARES tee shirts, others held homemade signs that read “Silas Wood CARES,” but everyone was happy to be outside on such a nice afternoon helping a cause that is very dear to the heart of a member of the Silas Wood community - teacher Ginny Stair.
Ms. Stair’s son, John, who just turned 16, was born with the rare disease called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and diagnosed at five days old. CAH is a family of inherited disorders affecting the adrenal glands. The glands are unable to produce an enzyme needed for the body to make cortisol, a hormone that is necessary for life. Cortisol helps our bodies deal with physical and emotional stress and maintain adequate energy supply and blood sugar levels. Because the disorder is so rare, it often goes undiagnosed, or families can’t find doctors who can properly treat it. That’s where the CARES Foundation comes in. It supports research and education, and helps families find the medical care they need. “The CARES Foundation has been there for us every step of the way. They have connected us with specialists all over the country, to ensure that my son has been given the best medical care possible,” said Ms. Stair.
The CARES Foundation has been such a support to Ms. Stair’s family that they wanted to find a way to pay it forward. Last year, with the help of parents, staff and the community, Silas Wood organized its first all-school CARES Walk and they raised almost $6,000. “I’ve known Ms. Stair for 18 years when I started teaching with her at Birchwood,” said Silas Wood Principal Stephen Toto. “So I’ve kind of been there with her as she's gone through this with her son. She came to me two years ago about fundraising to help the Foundation. We put it out to the students and the staff about how cool would it be if we did a school walk? I thought that was a great idea and a way to get the whole school working together.”
This year, it was another community-wide effort with lots of generous raffle prizes, and a new Family Wellness Night at Silas on May 3rd. So far they’ve raised more than $2,000 including a $250 donation from the South Huntington Teachers’ Association. “We are so grateful for the support from the staff and students at Silas Wood and the SHUFSD community,” said Ms. Stair.
Sixth grade student Jay Gunsel was there for more than just a run around the back field. He knew his effort was important. “Mrs. Stair’s son, John, has a rare disease and they’re trying to raise money for the cure. It’s important for other families, like John's, so that they can find a cure and have a healthy life,” said Jay.
Although basic treatments for CAH are well established and those with the disorder can live long, healthy lives, Ginny Stair says the ultimate goal is a cure. And she says all the work the CARES Foundation has done is bringing science closer to that possibility. She’s feeling more hopeful than ever that a cure could be seen in her son’s lifetime. But until that happens, Ms. Stair will continue to advocate for those with CAH, and all of Silas Wood will be right there with her! If you’d like to find out more about Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, or to make a donation, please click caresfoundation.org.
The Stair family gives back to the CARES Foundation that has been there for them every step of the way.