Peabody Public Schools Raises $5,400 During Pajama Day for Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser

Superintendent Josh Vadala is pleased to announce that Peabody Public Schools raised $5,400 in support of pediatric cancer for the Ella’s Army organization.

Peabody Public Schools held a pajama day fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 29, in honor of Ella Jade O’Donnell, a Peabody Public Schools fifth-grader who lost her battle with cancer in 2016.

September is observed as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Students participated in the fundraiser by donating $1 or more and wearing their pajamas to school. Students from the South School received a stuffed bear for their participation, generously donated by Nicole Dimond, a Grade 5 parent.

Peabody Public Schools hosts a pajama day fundraiser in Ella’s name each year to support pediatric cancer research.

Donations for Ella’s Army can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ellas-army-inc

“Our annual fundraiser was a big success and I want to thank students, parents and the entire school community for their generous donations,” said Superintendent Vadala. “Ella’s Army is a wonderful organization dedicated to the research and the support of children battling pediatric cancer. Students were excited to participate in this fundraiser. I am proud of our students, faculty, and staff for coming together to support such a worthy cause.”

About Ella’s Army

Ella’s Army Inc. is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization established in memory of Ella Jade O’Donnell. The mission is to raise funding and awareness for pediatric cancer and the families affected by it. The money raised goes directly to families of children that are fighting different forms of pediatric cancer, as well as funding research for pediatric brain cancer.

Since starting Ella’s Army in 2018, the organization has donated over $250,000 and has established the Ella Jade O’Donnell Pediatric Brain Cancer Research Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Peabody Public School students during a kindness assembly as part of the Pajama Fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer. (Photo Courtesy Peabody Public Schools)

Grade 1 student Olivia Filipiak donates money for the Pajamas for Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser in support of Ella’s Army foundation. (Photo Courtesy of Peabody Public Schools)

South School Grade 1 Teacher Julie Tracchia and her class, hold their stuffed bears that they received after donating to Ella’s Army as part of Peabody Public Schools Pajamas for Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser. (Photo Courtesy Peabody Public Schools)

Students hold their hands up during a kindness assembly as part of the Pajamas for Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser. (Photo Courtesy Peabody Public Schools)

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