By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/25/03)

If young people in Manassas continue to be so generous, stores in Manassas might need to start ordering more colorful construction paper.

Following the example set by Pennington School in November, a group of sixth- and seventh-grade students at All Saints School recently completed a quarter-mile paper chain to brighten the life of a little boy few of them have met.

Selling links for 25 cents each, the 85 students raised more than $1,000 to help defray medical costs for Grant Adkins, a seven-year-old who was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma earlier this year.

The daughter of Grant’s teacher, [first name] Garizone, is a student in one of Rob Tessier’s religion class. On Grant’s seventh birthday in November, Tessier’s sixth- and seventh-grade classes sent him handmade birthday cards.

A few weeks ago, the students in Tessier’s classes read an article in the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger about Pennington School selling paper links to raise money and decorating Grant’s house with the chain. After reading the article the students at All Saints wanted to do the same thing.

Jessie Barbar, one of the All Saints students who helped organize the fund drive, said she wanted to help Adkins because he is a "really spunky little kid. He doesn’t let anything get him down."

Students raised money doing odd jobs and asking friends and neighbors for donations. Alex Johnson said her family donated the money they would have spent on Christmas presents.

When one student donated $40, Tessier asked how she raised the money. It was the money she earned babysitting. "I was amazed they were really giving from their own pockets," said Tessier. "I have been so impressed with the charity displayed by my religion students."

Instead of simply raising an obscure amount of money, Tessier said the links provide a good visual for the students to see their progress and achievement. Students wrote notes on the links, sending good wishes for health and a Merry Christmas to Adkins.

Links from the paper chains are on display in the schools and at Manassas Baptist Church, where Grant’s family are members.

"We’ve had an absolutely tremendous support group from this community," said Jane Adkins, Grant’s mother. "It would have been much more difficult if we had not received their support."

One year ago, Grant was an average six-year-old. He loved playing soccer and T-ball, reading and playing computer games. On April 1, he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a form of childhood non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

When Grant was diagnosed, "I was absolutely devastated. I didn’t think anything like this would happen in my family."

Jane and her husband, Bill Huff, are grateful for the emotional and monetary support they have received. Grant’s medical expenses are exorbitant, and not fully covered by insurance. Reneé DiDuro, the mother of friends of Grant and his brother Philip, has acted as a liaison between the schools that want to help Grant and his family. She established the William Grant Adkins Fund at BB&T Bank, where the money raised so far has been deposited.

Besides having to worry about money, Grant’s family has to be sure that everyone entering their home is healthy, and if a family member is sick, they have to protect Grant the best that they can. Jane explained that if one of his sisters gets a fever, they get Tylenol. However, if Grant gets a fever, he goes to the hospital. It has been hard for Jane to try to tell her son not to hug and kiss his little sister when she gets sick. How can you ask a loving child not to be affectionate?

Grant has 17 more months of chemotherapy to endure. "At times I’m sure it will be difficult," Jane said, "but I hope the worst has passed."

Jane said that it has been absolutely necessary in her situation to not lose her sense of humor. She said, "You cannot dwell on ‘Why my kid, why God not someone else?’" She emphasized looking for the good that can come from every situation. "And we have seen the good come out in others," she said.

Grant has received phone calls from people across the country who have heard that he is sick and want to offer their support and prayers.

When asked what he thought about so many kids at area schools wanting to help him out, Grant simply stated with an angelic smile, "I like it."