• Name: Brianna
• Age: 13
• Activity: Organizing an ice-skating show to raise funds for cancer research
• Finalist award: A Nicki Fleming doll
• Nominated by: Her mother, Lynn

Five years ago, when Brianna was just 7 years old, she learned firsthand how devastating the effects of cancer can be. After hearing that her cousin had been diagnosed, she immediately asked to help. Not only did she want to help her cousin, but she also had a strong desire to help all cancer patients. What could a 7-year-old do to help? I didn’t think for long before Brianna had an idea.

What could a 7-year-old do to help cancer patients? I didn’t think for long before Brianna had an idea.

Brianna began organizing an ice-skating show, “The Great Skate to Ice Out Cancer.” The first show and silent auction took place in May 2002, included 20 skaters, and raised almost $3,000. By 2005, the show had grown so much that two shows had to be planned to accommodate more than 60 skaters, as well as skating teams. Over the past five years, Brianna has been instrumental in raising and donating almost $30,000 to organizations dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients.

Brianna generously gives of her time to plan the show. She spends numerous hours writing hundreds of letters seeking support for this event. She writes to local businesses, individuals, professional athletes, and celebrities requesting financial support or auction donations. She also writes to world-renowned skaters asking them to skate in the show and has been surprised that some have accepted her invitation!

She is responsible for every aspect of running the show. She distributes and collects application forms, encourages and organizes volunteers, sells tickets, requests sponsorships, prepares skater line-ups, advertises, prepares a program, orders T-shirts, works out contracts with rinks, organizes rehearsals, and practices her routine for the show.

Brianna took a seemingly simple idea of wanting to help others, combined it with a favorite activity—ice skating—and used that to inspire others to work toward a common goal of curing cancer! Brianna hopes that soon that dream will come true.