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Nesika students stage The Wizard of Oz for Chase and Summer

Chase Lamont and Summer Singleton responding well to their respective treatments
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Shanna Stangoe with her son Chase Lamont who has been receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver since suffering a stroke last August. Shanna is happy to say she is bringing Chase home to Williams Lake this weekend where he will continue his treatment. Photo submitted

Nesika Elementary School students are acting their way into the hearts of the community this week with their production of the play The Wizard of Oz to raise funds for two of their fellow students Chase Lamont and Summer Singleton.

The second day of the production will be staged today, Wednesday May 10 in the Nesika gymnasium with shows at 1 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.

Admission is by donation, says principal Yvonne Davis who adds they have seating for 300 people so there is plenty of room for parents and members of the public who might want to attend.

Both Chase, 11, who is recovering from a stroke and Summer, 6, who is receiving chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia are doing well in their treatments.

Summer’s blood counts have been good so she has been able to attend school between trips to Vancouver or Prince George every 10 days for chemotherapy treatment.

Davis said the school has also been vigilant about adhering to the rule that children who are sick stay at home so they don’t pose an added risk of infection for Summer.

In the last few weeks Summer has also been working with her mother, Jenn Singleton, to collect toys for children receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital.

Jenn said they started collecting a few toys on their own then asked their friends on Facebook if they would like to contribute a toy.

“It spread like wildfire through our amazingly generous community and we ended up with all this,” Jenn said, referring to a picture of Summer taken by lakecity photographer Laureen Carruthers, surrounded by a room full of donated toys.

The toys will be given to children visiting the oncology clinic at Children’s Hospital.

“After every procedure the child gets to pick a prize from the treasure chest,” Jenn said

Summer and her mother will return to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver June 1 where Summer will undergo two months of intensive chemotherapy treatment.

Chase has been working hard on his recovery at Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver, since suffering a stroke last August while on a camping trip with his family.

His mother Shanna Stangoe, who has been by his side the entire time is pleased to say that Chase will be coming home to Williams Lake this weekend.

“We are very, very happy,” Shanna said. “He is doing very well and we will continue his therapy in Williams Lake.”

After a bit of a rest she said Chase will continue his physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy and school studies here in Williams Lake.

Shanna said she is also thrilled that her family and friends have set up a wheelchair accessible apartment for them to move into when they get home.