The Leo Baeck Day School honoured the memory of Tamara Rose Bernstein June 18 with “The Inside Ride,” a cycling event to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.
Tamara died in April at age 10 after a two-year battle with leukemia. Her older sister, Rayna, attends Leo Baeck, where her classmates have rallied to support her family.
Staff and students formed teams to take part in endurance rides on stationary bikes inside the school gymnasium, while encouraging community support through online financial donations.
Tamara’s parents, Lisa and Warren Bernstein, asked that the funds be specifically directed to Camp Oochigeas, the Ontario summer camp specializing in caring for kids with cancer.
The final amount raised was not available at The CJN’s deadline.
“The camp programs especially have the biggest impact on the kids,” Warren Bernstein said. “I know in our daughter Tamara’s case, that was the thing that got her out of bed. When she was well enough last summer, she went to the camp for two weeks, which was the experience of a lifetime for her.”
The Inside Ride was facilitated by Coast to Coast, an organization that operates bike-a-thon events to raise funds in support of families of children with cancer.
Toward the end of every school year, the Grade 8 graduating class at Leo Baeck selects a worldwide cause to support as part of its tikkun olam project. This year, the students chose the cause of childhood cancer, in memory of Tamara.
“The fact that the school is getting behind this and doing such a great thing for the children is so wonderful,” Warren said. “I am sure most of these kids don’t know anyone who’s had cancer, but they will.”
His wife, Lisa, added, “All the staff and students have been incredibly supportive, and it’s great they are giving back.”
