This High School Senior Is The Organizer Of A Charity Race
Many high school seniors are busy thinking about what they will do upon graduation. Patricia Egan is the exception.
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It’s June. The time of year when many high school seniors are busy celebrating and thinking about what they will do upon graduation. Patricia Egan, a senior at Shrewsbury High School in Shrewsbury, MA, is doing that and more. Egan is organizing the Second Annual Duck Dash for Camp Wonder. The Duck Dash will be held on June 11, 2016 at Sherwood Middle School in Shrewsbury, MA. All proceeds from the Duck Dash will go directly to Camp Wonder.
Camp Wonder is a camp for children with chronic, sometimes terminal, skin diseases. It’s a camp for kids to have a place where they are free of judgment and stares. Camp Wonder is organized and funded by the Children’s Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF). While at camp, kids have a chance to just be kids. A full staff of doctors and nurses volunteer at the camp so the children’s medical needs and dressing changes can continue while they are away from home.
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“I have a chronic skin condition and have been attending Camp Wonder for the past 11 years, first as a camper and now as a counselor. I want to give back to the camp that has given me unconditional encouragement and taught me so much about feeling compassion for others,” said Egan.
Why call it the Duck Dash?
“Dexter the Duck is the mascot at Camp Wonder,” Patricia said. “The history of Dexter comes from a little girl at camp who told camp founder, Francesca Tenconi, that she wished she were a duck so that all of her feathers would cover her skin and people wouldn’t stare at her. That comment melted Francesca’s heart, and she decided then and there that the camp’s mascot should be a duck.”
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Camp Wonder has made a real and meaningful difference in Patricia’s life. Egan has been a member of Shrewsbury High School’s Indoor and Outdoor Track team for the past four years. Members of the track team, many friends, and all of Patricia’s family help to make the Duck Dash a fun family event. But Egan is the true driver and inspiration behind the event. Last year the Duck Dash raised over $3500 for Camp Wonder, Egan is hoping to double the proceeds this year.
For more information about the Duck Dash or Camp Wonder please visit the website.