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Our Team - Meet Sydney Whyte

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Sydney Whyte

When eight-year-old Sydney Whyte found out that her 18-month-old sister had a rare cancer called neuroblastoma, she wanted to do something to help. Her parents told her that one good way to spend her time and energy was to raise funds for cancer research. She started out that day, with a group of friends at school.

The principal of the school gave them permission to put up posters, and Sydney put a piggy bank at the front desk to collect spare change. Then, her mom offered to make a few pretty beaded bracelets to sell to her friends. Sydney started selling bracelets. First, she sold them at her school. She went to all the classes in her school and told them that she was raising money for ‘The James Fund' at SickKids and why. Then she spoke to her brownie troop, at a gala for supporters of The James Fund, and to her church congregation and sold bracelets in those places, too.

The more people Sydney told, the more people wanted to help, and the more bracelets she sold. Reporters published stories about Sydney and her sister Georgia in the newspaper, on television and the radio. A local businessman in Kingston decided to hold a fundraiser at his company. This event, where an employee and the company's president both shaved their heads, was a very successful event. The businessman offered to match the donations made by his employees, and he asked other businesses to do the same.

Sydney has raised over $10,000 for The James Fund. Two local stores sell her bracelets, and she has spoken to several groups about raising money for this important cause. She has no intention of stopping her fundraising, not until researchers have found a cure. For Sydney, the most important part of fundraising was simply deciding she wanted to help other kids.