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VIDEO: AACo school supports 11yo with leukemia

Posted at 2:35 PM, May 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-06 15:31:26-04

A fifth grader recently diagnosed with leukemia received an elaborate—and well-choreographed-—get well wish from hundreds of students and staff at an Anne Arundel County school.

Carolyn Shaffer, a 11-year-old student at Davidsonville Elementary School was diagnosed on April 1 and had to leave school on doctor's orders to begin chemotherapy treatment.

Nearly two weeks later, the entire student body—all 684 students—as well as staff and community members, came together to film a video showing their support and encouraging young Carolyn to be brave.

School principal Jean-Marie Hofstetter said the gesture made Carolyn smile.

“Carolyn is top notch. She's an enthusiastic, well-rounded student," she said. "She had just completed a school play and she's got a great voice. She went out on a real real high and this was a sudden and unexpected illness. Although she’s ill, [the video] cheered her up.”

Watch the full video above.