Nine-year-old Kierra Walker did something unusual with her Halloween candy this year. Instead of eating it, or planning to, she is selling it, and giving the proceeds to charity to help fight cancer.
The Kent Elementary grade four student has experienced the disease through friends and family.
Her cousin has cancer, an uncle died from it and her mother’s best friend was diagnosed with leukemia.
According to a recent study, cancer is the leading cause of death for Canadians.
“It upsets her so much to hear that people are dying from [the disease],” her mother Chantel said.
Initially, Kierra and an older friend were going to package and sell their collected Halloween sweets. When her friend decided not to pursue the idea, Kierra ran with it full-speed.
She and her mom made a t-shirt for Kierra to wear while going door-to-door – Treats for Cancer – to shed light on what she was doing.
“People were surprised that I was going to sell my candy,” she said.
Each $5 bag contains an assortment of chocolate bars, chips and various candies.
Kierra, who hopes to become a doctor, has raised $150 so far. She plans on giving her proceeds to leukemia research.
Her next project she said will be to grow her hair, then have it cut for use in cancer patient wigs.
“She is awesome,” her dad Clinton said.
Something Kierra’s mom whole heartedly agreed with.
“I’m very proud.”