BETHANY and OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 28, 2006 – When Denise Kimbrough lost her mother, Judie, to cancer in 2001, students at Bethany High School rallied around Kimbrough–one of their favorite teachers–to raise money for cancer research. And last year when Kimbrough’s father, Charles, a longtime educator, also died of cancer, her students redoubled their efforts to honor his legacy. “My dad worked here, and the kids all knew him,” said Kimbrough, a business teacher and assistant student council sponsor. “When he died, they wanted to make sure it was our best year of giving, and it was. I was shocked when I counted it.” Through dozens of fund-raisers, including a cancer carnival, hamburger cookouts and candy sales, Bethany students raised $6,366 during the 2005-06 school year for cancer research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The school presented the donation to OMRF this month. “Bethany students put a lot of heart and hard work into this gift,” said Eileen Williams, senior director of development at OMRF. “It will mean a lot to OMRF, and I’m certain that it means a lot to Denise Kimbrough.” All told, the school, which has an enrollment of about 400 students, has given more than $19,000 to OMRF since 2002.

Bethany teacher Denise Kimbrough and student Kaylee Brooks

“The way most people think about teenagers these days is that they are self-centered,” Kimbrough said. “I talk with them and tell them they are helping a significant cause whether they know it or not, and it makes me feel good to know they give of their time to think of others.”

Students from Bethany’s leadership class approached Kimbrough with the idea of raising funds for cancer research at OMRF after seeing the success of similar efforts at nearby Putnam City Public Schools. She knew it would be a big undertaking, but says the students are committed to making a difference.

The students also raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and cut hair for the Locks of Love program, which provides hair prosthetics for children with long-term medical hair loss.

Kaylee Brooks, a senior who serves as student council president, has helped raise money for cancer research in each of her four years at Bethany High. “I lost my grandmother to cancer, so I know how this disease affects families,” Brooks said. “It feels great to know I am doing a small part in helping find a cure.”

About OMRF:
Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2006, OMRF (www.omrf.org) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and curing human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease. It is home to Oklahoma’s only member of the National Academy of Sciences.