Middle Schooler Emma Mills, with the RCS National Junior Honor Society, are currently raising awareness and money to help find a cure for NKH! This fundraiser, in particular, hits close to home for Emma as her little brother is living with this metabolic disorder.
NKH, or Nonketotic hyperglycinemia, is a rare genetic disorder that causes the body's glycine to be too high causing seizures. The seizures can then cause brain damage and other external issues. Since the disease is so rare, there isn’t a known cure.
Emma, who, in her free time, loves playing sports, hanging out with her friends, and participating in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), came up with the idea one day while thinking about her brother and how she would like to help. She shared it with her family and friends for feedback, and they loved the idea! Emma brought it to NJHS, and from there it took off! The club worked together as a team to create announcements, fliers, and more, selecting blue and yellow as the colors for their campaign, as they are the support colors for NKH!
Staff and students are invited to wear blue and yellow or their pajamas to school every Friday for the month of January. They are also requested to make a small donation to the cause. All funds will go to an NKH research committee that is working diligently to find a cure for this awful disease. So far, they have been able to raise over $300!
Emma’s brother, Colton, was diagnosed with NKH when he was only a month old, and it took a huge toll on her family. Although the life expectancy is not very long for a child with NKH, Colton has made it to two years old and is going strong! This fundraiser will help contribute to the ongoing search for a cure!
“This was one of the hardest times of my life, but it made me a stronger person,” said Emma. “I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the whole community for everything! You all have been such a huge help with everything, and I could not be more grateful!”
Special shout-out goes to Mr. Fisher, Mr. Colon, Ms. Baker, Ms. VanBaaren, Ms. Sawyer, and Mr. Doran for helping with the fundraiser!
