Unsung Hero Teacher Led Effort to Comfort Family of Pediatric Cancer Warrior
Sometimes, the most you can do is the best that you can.
Michele Delaune of Palm Bay is Sprout’s Nominate Your Neighbor winner for 2023. The award recognizes exemplary acts of kindness and goodwill, as well as healthy heroes. However, Delaune, a physical education teacher at Odyssey Charter School in Palm Bay, says this is not about her, but rather an 8-year-old child so full of love and spirit that when she became ill, a community rallied to help.
Two years ago, Olivia Owens, a family friend and student of Delaune developed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). DIPG is an aggressive brain cancer with nearly no chance of cure or remission.
“It shocks you to your core,” Delaune said of learning about Olivia’s condition. “You just want to do whatever you can to help, to make it a little easier for the family.”
She knew it would be expensive, with travel to Gainesville for treatments adding to the financial stress. Still, Delaune said she worried at first about offering to help.
“They’re such a private family, but I decided to ask for forgiveness later,” she said.
Delaune started with a GoFundMe account, then organized regular fundraisers to help the family with travel funds, activities to make memories together, and many other needs. Soon, the school and community, under the leadership of Delaune, jumped in to take some of the pressure off the Owens so that they could concentrate on Olivia.
“It was inspiring how many people stepped up. People called to ask me what they could do. It kept me going,” she said.
The average lifespan for those diagnosed with DIPG is less than a year. Almost two years after her diagnosis, on Dec. 16, 2023, Olivia lost her battle with the disease.
“I would have traded places with her if I could have,” Delaune said, “and I know I’d have had to stand in line because this is the nicest, sweetest family. Olivia’s passing is a huge loss to her family, our school, and the community.”
Nonetheless, Delaune hopes that Olivia’s short life will not be in vain. She wants to raise awareness of childhood cancers and fight for a cure.
“Neil Armstrong’s daughter died of DIPG over 40 years ago, and there’s been no significant progress toward a cure in all that time,” Delaune said. “Only 4% of government funds are put toward childhood cancer. There are many angry moms that want those numbers changed — to give their children a fighting chance at life.”
She said she’s working on ideas to raise awareness.
Delaune recommends that any parents of a child with cancer connect with Candlelighters of Brevard for support. She had another student with cancer whose family said Candlelighters helped them greatly.
And if you have a friend in need, she encourages you to overcome your hesitations and just do something.
“I know you can feel so helpless. If you feel like you can’t do anything, then you just have to do whatever you can,” she said.
About the Sprouts Award
Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. The Nominate Your Neighbor Campaign is one of many community service programs, which includes sponsoring school and community gardens.
The Nominate Your Neighbor campaign supports communities by “shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes that make our neighborhoods thrive,” said Lucas Larson, regional vice president of Florida for Sprouts.
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