Park Pulls Together to Support Student with Leukemia

Before the walk begins Thursday to Washington Park student and leukemia patient John Tierney's house, school faculty and some students will shave their heads in the school fieldhouse.

"The hair thing is about support and sympathy," senior Danielle Frost explained. "John starts some intense chemo next week so he'll probably lose his hair, and we want him to know he's not alone."

Led by the heart and efforts of Frost, a large group of friends, students, faculty and staff on May 23 will first meet at 3 p.m. in the field house so students and teachers can shave their heads or cut their hair. Then, at 4 p.m., the group will walk almost three miles to John's house so he knows how much his Park family cares for him.

"I've known John forever," Frost added. "He's one of the nicest people on the planet, and I just wanted him to know that we're thinking of him."

John Tierney thanks Danielle Frost and the rest of the Washington Park family for their support.

John's mom, Dawn, is overwhelmed by the spirit of generosity from Frost and everyone participating.

"I'm so happy that we have these great kids in our district who are so giving," she said. "We are humbled by their kindness and rallying behind our family."

John was diagnosed a few weeks ago with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after a pain in his leg just wouldn't go away.

"Yeah, I was on vacation with my family in Florida, and I thought it might be growing pains," John said. "But no, it turns out to be cancer."

He said he's been feeling stronger these last few days because his treatments have been spaced out a bit more, which is good since his doctors have cleared him to attend prom Saturday for a couple of hours.

"I have to be careful, though," he acknowledged, his sense of humor firmly intact. "I have to listen to my brain when it tells me to leave or I'll listen to my heart, and possibly collapse. The last thing I need is to have an ambulance pick me up from prom. That would just be humiliating."

Fliers for the event began circulating around school last week and already there are over 100 people registered to participate. Sign-up is $15 which includes a blue t-shirt with "Team Tierney" in yellow and an orange bracelet that says the same thing. 

Frost said what started as just a show of support has now turned into a fundraiser as well; $7 of the fee goes to pay the cost of the shirt and bracelet and the rest goes to leukemia research.

Jeffrey Miller, activities director at Park, said he is not surprised by the outpouring of support Tierney is receiving, and he is proud of Frost for stepping up for organizing the event.

"This is all about John seeing how much we all care about him," he said. "Danielle is just amazing the way she had this idea and now how it's grown so fast. I think this drives home to kids how important it is to sometimes step outside yourself."

John was told about the event at the annual senior banquet, and Dawn appreciates the heads up.

"I don't know if I could have convinced him to change out of his pajamas and sit with me on the front porch," she joked. "I think he might have guessed something was up."

He is humbled by the love and support he's getting from his Park family, John said.

"We've done fundraisers at school for a lot of different causes, but to have everyone just walk to my house to say 'Hi ...' well, that's just really amazing and overwhelming at the same time," he said.

Buses will meet the walkers at the Tierneys' home to take them back to Park where there will be refreshments for everyone.

If anyone is interested in participating in Team Tierney, call the Washington Park Activities Office at (262) 619-4457.