LYNN — Jennifer Perez has lived with cancer for three years, but the 12-year-old smiled and enjoyed being the center of attention Monday during a special visit to Lynn police headquarters.
The Thurgood Marshall Middle School student, her parents, and the family of fellow pediatric cancer survivor William Castillo, 10, rolled up to the Washington Street station with police escorts, blue lights flashing, to be greeted with applause from more than 30 police officers and school workers.
“I feel so grateful,” Perez said after officers handed her parents, Gil and Celia Perez, a $5,000 check and gave Castillo’s mother, Jennifer, a $5,000 check.
The money and the opportunity to recognize kids who are fighting for their lives is the work of Cops for Kids with Cancer. Founded in 2002 by a Boston police officer undergoing cancer treatment, Cops for Kids has raised more than $3.4 million in the last 17 years to provide 700 families each with $5,000.
No Shave November, a charity drive initiated by police officers, helped raise money to aid the Perez and Castillo families through the donation link copsforkidswithcancer.org/donation-lynn-police-2019.
School Resource Officer Manny Torres walks Thurgood Marshall’s hallways with a full beard and he is one of Perez’s most avid cheerleaders.
“Words cannot describe her. She’s a great kid,” he said.
Principal Molly Cohen echoed that sentiment Monday as she described Perez as a “force” who motivates and inspires her classmates.
“It’s been a long battle for Jennifer,” she said.
Castillo attends Hood School and was undergoing treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital Monday. His mother thanked police officers for taking the time and making the effort to help her family.
“He’s blessed and we are blessed that you did all of this,” she said.
Perez said she is grateful she has been able to attend school while receiving treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital and said she hopes to continue pursuing projects in Marshall’s video production studio.
