In an effort to support religion teacher Jacqueline Moeser, who is on a leave of absence from school because of her battle with cancer, the faculty recently began a fund to help pay for her medical treatment.
On November 24, coinciding with the Thanksgiving mass, collection baskets for the fund were set up in the main office, cafeteria, school store, and gym.
“Our masses and our prayer services during the holiday season are great opportunities for the students to contribute to the Jackie Moeser Fund since we are all gathered together as a community,” said Campus Minister Patti Murphy Dohn.
In addition, Murphy Dohn is organizing a “dress up day” on December 18. Students will be able to buy a ribbon in the school store and “make a contribution to the fund in honor of Christmas.”
Donations go to the Jackie Moeser Fund, which has been set up at the Harford County Credit Union by Health teacher Teresa Gauthier.
Gauthier’s own experience with cancer helped inspire her to start the fund. “A very good friend did the same for me last year,” she said. “She and her husband had a nonprofit and she set up a fund through it for me. Her husband died of brain cancer back in 2000 and she knew how people had helped her.”
Originally, the idea was not intended to involve the student body. “I had just put it out there for the faculty to donate money to the fund if they wanted to. When Mrs. Moeser left, the idea got a little bigger about involving the student body,” said Gauthier.
Murphy Dohn helped to get the students involved by forming the “Jackie Moeser Team.” The ten student team collects the donations.
The reaction from students has already been “very positive,” said Murphy Dohn.
Senior Kaylin Honchar, a member of the “Jackie Moeser Team,” said she joined because “[Mrs. Moeser] helped all of us so much because she’s so strong. I want to contribute a little back to her of what she gave to us.”
Although there is no set goal for the amount of money raised, Murphy Dohn said, “If every student and faculty member gave a dollar, we could raise close to a thousand dollars. If every student and faculty member gave five dollars, we could raise close to $5,000.
Said Gauthier, “Even if you have health insurance, you have bills that become overwhelming.”
In addition to the monetary support, Gauthier said, “I think she feels the tremendous spiritual and community support. That is really what powers her through all of this.”
“Through the daily prayers, the weekly rosaries, contributions to this fund, and all the well wishes going her way, we pray that Mrs. Moeser feels the love and support of this school community at all times,” said Murphy Dohn.
Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at [email protected].