Kaitlyn Rumohr, 12, of Red Deer. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

Thoughtful and Compassionate

Local dancer raising funds and awareness for instructor battling breast cancer

Feb 6, 2021 | 11:00 AM

A young Red Deer girl has taken it upon herself to help out her much-loved dance instructor in her fight against breast cancer.

Kaitlyn Rumohr is a 12-year-old Grade 7 student at Glendale Sciences and Technology School and says her bracelet fundraising initiative aims to raise awareness and help her dance instructor Jody Liptak at Dance Magic Studio, in her difficult times ahead.

“She (Miss Jody, as she’s better known) really shaped me as a dancer. She’s always been there for me, always pushed me. She’s just amazing,” says Kaitlyn.

“Miss Jody needs help and she’s always been there for us when we need help, so I think it’s great that all the kids can do something to help her when she needs help too,” the young dancer adds.

The bracelets are black with pink writing and have the breast cancer ribbon flanking the phrase “Team Miss Jody” on each side. On the back of the bracelet: “Cancer picked the wrong girl”.

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The bracelets sell for $5, with proceeds going to Miss Jody. Kaitlyn’s mother can be contacted through Facebook for bracelet orders.

In addition to over $1,800 in bracelet sales, Kaitlyn and her mother Dianne created a GoFundMe campaign for Miss Jody (Miss Jody’s Breast Cancer Journey). It too has seen growing support since the Rumohr’s launched it Jan. 5.

“We were hoping we would be able to get $1,000 and now we have over $11,000 for her,” exclaims Kaitlyn. “Every little bit helps. It’s amazing!”

Kaitlyn’s mom Dianne says her daughter has been dancing with Miss Jody since the age of six and considers her part of the family.

“I’m incredibly proud of her,” admits Dianne. “She’s always been one to want to help. She doesn’t think of herself, she thinks of, ‘What can I do to help somebody else?’ That’s an amazing quality to see and I’m so proud to see her grow and keep that.”

Kaitlyn and her dance instructor Miss Jody. (Supplied)

After being diagnosed with breast cancer last October, Miss Jody, who underwent a lumpectomy in December, recently learned that doctors didn’t get all of the cancer cells. She underwent a second surgery on Jan. 27, and is now enduring radiation treatments.

“The act of kindness of what this little girl thought of on her own, I was certainly very humbled by it,” shares Liptak. “So now I want to share the awareness more than anything for other women out there. What Kaitlyn did was over and above amazing.”

“I can’t even describe or find words on what that meant to me,” adds Liptak.

“I know we’re all going through a really difficult time right now and reaching out to your neighbours, your loved ones, friends,” she continues. “Acts of kindness go a long way. I am so grateful to have such a huge team behind me with my community and the Dance Magic family.”

Christine Slaymaker, owner of Dance Magic Studio, says Kaitlyn’s bracelet initiative and GoFundMe campaign in support of Miss Jody highlight the power of community and the ability of children to make a difference.

“I think what this whole thing speaks to is the love and support that really exists in not only our Dance Magic community, but in the community at-large,” she points out.

“When people are in-need, people want to help. Watching kids get involved in a way that shows they are able and capable of standing up to make a difference and to support something that they believe in and someone that they believe in just speaks volumes to the community of young people we have. I’m just really proud of them.”