On June 13th, 2024, the students, staff and school community at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School in Chelmsford will walk in memory of Johnathan Hetu. Johnathan was a student at St. Charles. At the end of Grade 5, Johnathan discovered he had cancer and would go on to battle it throughout Grade 6 and into Grade 7. Johnathan lost his battle at the end of September 2004. 

For fifteen years, David Nicholls, a Grade 7 teacher at the school, has organized the Johnathan Hetu Walk for Cancer.

"We decided as a school that we needed to do something to remember him and also all the other children that have cancer," he said.

"The walk at the beginning was an information session," Nicholls said. "I would go through the classes and talk about Johnathan, talk about the walk, but now as I go through each class the children are telling me about the history of Johnathan, telling me about the history of the walk and they look forward to it."

For Nicholls, what is important to draw awareness to is the fact that Johnathan was just a typical boy and that cancer could happen to anybody.

"We think of cancer as something older people get," he said.

Mr. Nicholls passed away very unexpectedly on May 10th, 2019. This walk meant a lot to Mr. Nicholls and he was very proud of the event, his students and the community for the support. In taking part in Johnathan's walk, students are not only walking in his memory, but they are also honoring an incredible man who left us too soon. 

Prior to the event students will canvas their communities and collect donations. Over the years, the community has raised over $138,000 for NOFCC. This year, the school is aiming to raise $10,000 for this cause. 

This walk keeps Johnathan's memory alive, and supports so many families battling cancer today. Please donate to help St. Charles Catholic School reach their goal.