ORLANDO, FL. (September 20, 2012) – A special donation by area 5th graders to MD Anderson Orlando proves that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. When Maddie Shields’ mom was diagnosed with colon cancer she knew she wanted to do something to help her mom in her cancer fight. Maddie and her friends made true on their promise by turning Maddie’s 11th birthday party into a fundraiser for MD Anderson Orlando, where Maddie’s mom, Kristine Vorpagel is undergoing treatment.

Today the group of 5th graders from Lake Eola Charter School presented MD Anderson Orlando with a check for $540 to help others in their cancer fight. The donation comes on the same day as Maddie’s mom completed her final chemotherapy treatment for stage 3 colon cancer and did the traditional ringing of the bell ceremony at the cancer hospital. On hand for today’s donation, ten kids, including Maddie, her twin brother Griffin and her friend Whitney. For Maddie’s mom, Kristine, the donation was a touching reminder of the impact her cancer diagnosis has had on her kids.

So what will $540 buy you may ask? The donation from the 5th graders could help pay for the following:

• Transportation for 10 cancer patients to and from the hospital for their appointments
• Box lunches for 100 chemotherapy patients
• Coffee and cookies in the patient waiting rooms for two months