Last fall, Darby Riley, a fifth grader at Washington Elementary arrived at school with a sore heel and was unable to participate in P.E. class. After a few weeks, this began to concern her mother and father who then took her in for a checkup. The checkup revealed Bone Cancer. Since that time, Darby has undergone a total of 10 rounds of Chemotherapy which required 4 to 5 day stays in the hospital, some of which required travel to Salt Lake City.
In June, it was determined that Darby would need to have her leg amputated just below the knee. The operation was a big success and Darby is currently moving briskly through the halls of Washington Elementary on her modified wheelchair. Her positive spirit is contagious.
In September and October of 2009, the entire community came together to help Darby receive a prosthetic leg in a cause entitled “Do it For Darby.” Students from Washington Elementary and Pine View High School worked together to raise over $5,000. The St. George marathon running community stepped up big with hundred of runners runners donating $26.20 to help the cause. The foundation known as “Two Good Legs” used their contacts with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to access donated materials to build the new leg. Dr. Hamrick from St. George, Utah donated his time and services.
Today, Darby is walking on her new leg and has commitments for many years to come to keep it up to date. Darby has been an inspiration to our school and has helped us see what is truly important in our lives. Walk on, Darby!
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