#SAMSTRONG unites students at Sydenham HS

Feb 11, 2015

Students at Sydenham High school have come together to support fellow student, Sam Eastman, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Sam, who is a grade 12 student at SHS, did not return from the Christmas holidays and when students began asking questions they recently found out why. Roughly three weeks ago Sam was diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hogkin's lymphoma.

Soon after, his friends at the school immediately mobilized and decided to do something to show their support for Sam and his family. Three of Sam's closest friends, Chad, Aidan, and Ryan began the wave of school-wide support when they decided last week to shave their heads in the school cafeteria. The happening initiated an outpouring of support by other students at the school. By the end of the week over 50 students had shaved or cut off their hair and donated it to Locks for Love. Sam's close friend, Holly Thompson, invited students to the school cafeteria to paint t-shirts, and a school banner reading #SAMSTRONG was hung up in the school. T-shirts have been made and sold to raise funds as well and to date the school has collected over $1,000 in donations. The money will be given to Sam and his family to support them during Sam's treatment.

Currently Sam is undergoing chemotherapy at KGH in Kingston and his closest friends at the school have been keeping in close touch with him. Sam plays hockey, rugby and football at SHS, and also plays midget rep hockey in Westport. On February 9 he was well enough to attend the Westport's Rideau team's final home game of the season, where a number of fundraising events were also held.

The wave of support also spread to LaSalle Secondary School in Kingston where Sam was taking a special focus program prior to entering the hospital. Sam attended Perth Road Public School prior to moving to SHS in grade nine.

One close friend at SHS, Erica Veldman, said that the students coming together for Sam was only natural, given his popularity at the school. "Sam is a great guy; he is a lot of fun, very confident, and an all around very sweet guy. All of his friends know that he would do exactly the same for them.”

Another friend, Connor Bayers, said Sam is known for being “very approachable and is someone who always shows everyone respect.”

The #SAMSTRONG campaign is ongoing at SHS. Anyone wishing to make a donation to Sam and his family to help cover expenses can contact Corinna Goldring of student services at Sydenham High School at 613-376-3612 Ext. 316.