Saint Viator Students Continue to Help Pediatric Cancer Patients, One Bedroom at a Time
Earlier this month, sophomore Joe Lang and junior Brady Paine led their classmates in completing an unforgettable service project. They completed a bedroom makeover for 10-year-old Olivia, who has leukemia, and due to complications from the disease, has been confined to a wheelchair and left unable to speak.
However, her brave smile continues to radiate and inspire everyone around her. When it came time for the big reveal, she was beaming, along with her sister, with whom she shares the room. The room’s soft colors, complete with lots of pink throw pillows, a new bookcase for all the books she loves, and even the sisters’ initials—A and O—illuminated in a custom lighting piece—all come together to create a magical space.
Joe and Brady partnered with Special Spaces Illinois, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide a safe place for children with cancer to recover, heal, sleep, and play. Designing Olivia’s new bedroom is the third makeover that Saint Viator students have completed.
“As a group, our goal was to provide Olivia and her family with something to look forward to through such a difficult time,” Joe says, “and to know that our community is supporting and praying for her.”
As underclassmen juniors, the two worked with Emily Lang ’24, Joe’s older sister, and Andrea Rivera ’24 to makeover a bedroom for a 14-year-old girl battling leukemia. They were following a lead set by Mia Parise ’22, who first worked with Special Spaces to create a magical bedroom for a pediatric cancer patient. Beyond her friends, Mia drew the involvement of Mr. Joe Miller, a math teacher, who has helped out with the last two makeovers, including with Joe and Brady.
“Mia's goal was for this not to be a one-and-done project for Saint Viator,” Mr. Miller says. “And through the efforts of Emily and Andrea, and now Joe and Brady, they have kept that dream alive and impacted another young life struggling through cancer treatments.”
After working on last year’s makeover, Joe and Brady took the lead on Olivia’s bedroom, recruiting many of their friends to help provide manpower. Yet their commitment took more than rolling up their sleeves to paint and assemble new furniture. It took fundraising.
“We reached out to a network of family and friends, and with their generosity and the support of a corporate match, we were able to fund the full $5,000,” Joe says. “Adding on to this, Brady and I utilized the Matthew 25 board to spread awareness and do secondary fundraisers within the school.”
They were so successful in raising money and awareness for Special Spaces' mission that the group was also able to complete a makeover for Olivia’s little brother.
“All Saint Viator students have a service commitment they need to fulfill as part of their graduation requirements,” Mr. Miller says. “However, this project allowed the students to see the value of their work in action and really created a meaningful experience for all involved. They provided hope and joy to a family when they needed it most. I’m very proud of them all.”
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
