South Huntington School Raises $2K At 2nd Annual CARES Walk To End CAH

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — Silas Wood Sixth Grade Center walked to support the CARES Foundation in solidarity with a teacher whose son was diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the South Huntington School District announced.

More than $2,000 was raised at the 2nd Annual Silas Wood Cares All-School Walk on May 17. Just before the last period of the day, Principal Stephen Toto called down the school’s more than 400 students, along with all their teachers, to head to the backfield to start the walk to raise money to help those with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands.

Everybody walked or ran at least four laps, and some did even more. Some students wore CARES tee shirts, others held homemade signs that read "Silas Wood CARES," but everyone was happy to be outside on a warm afternoon helping a cause that is very dear to the heart of a member of the Silas Wood community: teacher Ginny Stair.

"Our job is not only to educate our students with the academics of math, writing and reading," Toto said in a news release. "I think we have to teach them how to be compassionate and empathetic. We have to remind them the importance of always doing the right thing and helping others out."

Stair’s son, John, who just turned 16, was diagnosed with CAH when he was 5 days old. For those with CAH, the adrenal glands are unable to produce an enzyme needed for the body to make cortisol, a hormone that is necessary for life. Cortisol helps bodies deal with physical and emotional stress and maintain adequate energy supply and blood sugar levels. It can also cause the body to produce too much androgen which may cause symptoms related to sexual development. Because the disorder is so rare, it often goes undiagnosed, or families can’t find doctors who can properly treat it.

That’s where the CARES Foundation comes in. It supports research and education, and helps families find the medical care they need.

"The CARES Foundation has been there for us every step of the way," Stair said. "They have connected us with specialists all over the country, to ensure that my son has been given the best medical care possible."

The CARES Foundation has been such a support to Stair’s family that they wanted to find a way to pay it forward. Last year, with the help of parents, staff and the community, Silas Wood organized its first all-school CARES Walk and raised almost $6,000.

"I’ve known Ms. Stair for 18 years when I started teaching with her at Birchwood," Toto said. "So I’ve kind of been there with her as she's gone through this with her son. She came to me two years ago about fundraising to help the foundation. We put it out to the students and the staff about how cool would it be if we did a school walk? I thought that was a great idea and a way to get the whole school working together."

This year, it was another community-wide effort with lots of raffle prizes and a new Family Wellness Night at Silas on May 3. So far they’ve raised more than $2,000 in this year’s effort.

"We are so grateful for the support from the staff and students at Silas Wood and the SHUFSD community," Stair said.

Sixth grade student Jay Gunsel was there for more than just a run around the back field. He knew his effort was important.

"Mrs. Stair’s son, John, has a rare disease and they’re trying to raise money for the cure," Gunsel said. "It’s important for other families, like John's, so that they can find a cure and have a healthy life."

Although basic treatments for CAH are well established and those with the disorder can live long, healthy lives, Stair said the ultimate goal is a cure. And she says all the work the CARES Foundation has done is bringing science closer to that possibility. She said she's feeling more hopeful than ever that a cure could be seen in her son’s lifetime.

"But until that happens, Ms. Stair will continue to advocate for those with CAH, and all of Silas Wood will be right there with her!" the school district wrote.

Those who would like to learn more about congenital adrenal hyperplasia or make a donation can visit the CARES Foundation.