Southside Elementary hosts Go Gold Day rally

As the years go on, the support still has not dwindled, said Laura Gilkey.

Her son, Benjamin Gilkey, was one of two students at Southside Elementary School who died because of cancer in 2017, along with Avery Rann. 

Laura Gilkey said it came as surprise to her that even though students at the school years later would not have known Benjamin, they are still enthusiastic participants in Go Gold Day. 

Held the last Friday in September, the event encourages students and parents in promoting awareness and providing support for children with pediatric cancer throughout the month of September, leading up to the day itself.

On that day, Sept. 26, students filed outside, largely dressed in gold, for a Go Gold Day pep rally. 

Started at Southside Elementary, the event has since grown beyond there, to schools throughout Sarasota County and two in Manatee County.

All funds raised go to the Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research, which Laura Gilkey co-founded.

“None of these kids knew my son, obviously, but they're doing it because it's beyond him now," she said. "It's bigger than that, which I love so much."

Principal Allison Foster said it was "great for kids to learn about something that is so important and that's impacting students."

"It's great to see the students be so involved, doing lemonade stands, cookie sales, other things to not only raise funds, but also to raise awareness,” she said.

The school is in the process of accumulating the total raised.