- February 7, 2025
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It's not everyday that students get to throw whipped cream pies at the mayor of Port Orange, local firefighters and school staff members.
But that was exactly what happened during Sugar Mill Elementary School's third annual Sock it to Cancer event on Friday, Oct. 13 benefiting the Whipping Childhood Cancer non-profit organization. Florida-based Whipping Childhood Cancer was founded by mothers of children battling cancer.
And as fun as the event was, it was benefiting a very important cause.
Students had previously brought in $1 donations in order to wear their silliest socks. Three classes, led by teachers Sheree Inge, Joel Westhead and Sherry Flaherty, tied for the most money raised, meaning students in those classes got the chance to throw the whipped cream pies at the adults. There were also t-shirt sales that helped with the fundraising. Altogether, the school was able to raise more than $1,500.
"They're bringing in funds for an amazing purpose," Whipping Childhood Cancer Founder Jenny Mena Silviano said. "People talk about childhood cancer like it's rare, but it really is not rare, we're seeing it so much."
The organization was set up to fund cancer research to increase "survival rates by advancing cancer treatments and increasing clinical trials," according to officials. It also provides grants for families that travel due to study or research treatment.
According to Silviano, there are currently 30 children in Volusia County battling cancer. Silviano's own daughter, Katelyn Silviano, 10, is in remission after battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for three years.
"When you have cancer you can't do things like normal kids," Katelyn said. "But when you're in remission you get to do all that. You get to have fun, go on field trips and you don't have to worry."
Katelyn's friend, Sugar Mill Elementary student Logan Finney, 9, is also in remission after battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
"She was diagnosed in 2013 right before starting kindergarten," Logan's mom, Ashley Finney said. "She's in third grade and doing well."
Ashley is the secretary for Whipping Childhood Cancer and met Silviano when their daughters were both going to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Another parent, Jalycia Skuro, was in attendance with her daughter, Hailey Skuro, who goes to Sugar Mill. Skuro lost her son, Ryley Skuro, to a battle with cancer when he was only 17 months old. He was diagnosed with Leukemia at eight months.
Skuro and her daughter attended the school's with a photo of Ryley. For Skuro, the event is a way for students, like her daughter, to better understand how cancer can affect people.
"This is actually a really, really good way to bring awareness to the children with cancer," Skuro said. "Any cancer event that I can be involved with I love to do it. This is an amazing event they do every year."
