The Beat Goes On

Nearly 30 years ago, the students of Thom Collegiate rallied around one of their own.

In 1997, grade 9 student Christian Alphonso was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and needed specialized treatment out of province. Determined to help, his best friend Daniel Gardiner and classmates organized a fundraiser to support Christian and his family’s journey. Though he sadly passed away, the compassion shown during that time sparked students’ commitment to beat cancer – a fight that continues today.

Each spring, Thom’s Beat Cancer Week brings together students, staff, families, and the wider community for a powerful, week-long fundraiser. Pancake breakfasts, hot dog lunches, Jail and Bail, movie days, and countless student-led initiatives transform the school into a hub of purpose and action.

Each year, new students carry this torch forward. While they never met Christian, his story continues to unite this community. Over the years, Thom students and staff have raised more than $278,000 in support of cancer care at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre.

Still today, Daniel, alongside his wife Laurel and their family, honours Christian’s memory by matching students’ fundraising efforts. Their commitment is shaped by loss – Daniel’s father Rod and Laurel’s mother Carla both passed from cancer – and by hope, as their sister-in-law Shannon recently overcame her diagnosis.

Thom’s Beat Cancer Week remains a living tribute – proving that friendship, generosity, and the determination to beat cancer can echo across many generations.