Students at Kent elementary school had a special guest with them right before they set out for the annual Terry Fox Run last Thursday.
Lilee Jean, also known as LJ, and her dad Andrew Putt joined the school via Skype, an internet-based video chat provider. LJ is undergoing treatment for a tumor discovered about a year ago, and spends much of her time in and out of BC Children's Hospital. That's where she and her dad logged in for the video chat.
And while the video was a little broken up, the message of hope was loud and clear.
The students listened intently as Putt, who grew up in Agassiz, spoke about his daughter and the Terry Fox Run
"I used to do (the run) every year when I went to Kent elementary," he said. "Now (Lilee Jean) is battling cancer, and that's what this is all about. I hope you guys really try, and if you about Lilee Jean while you're running, hopefully that will help you in the race."
The students have been following Lilee Jean's story over the past year, and many students have thought up different ways to raise money to help her family, and to donate to Children's Hospital.
"You're allowed to fun but remember this is for something really serious, and you're doing a really good thing to help out Lilee Jean and all the other kids in the hospital," Putt said.
As father and daughter shared a quick kiss on the projector screen, all the kids cheered and waved, yelling "bye!" at the young girl.
September 27 is the annual Terry Fox Run school day, and schools across Canada would have taken part in fundraising for the Fox Foundation throughout the week.
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