APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A 14-year-old boy from Appleton is inviting the community to participate in his yearly fundraiser to help raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer.
It’s not every day that you get to meet a teenage boy like Cole Stoffel, whose passion in life is to help others.
“In second grade my teacher died of cancer and it really affected me so I wanted to do something to give back,” said Stoffel.
Since then Stoffel has been hosting his very own fundraiser for kids with cancer and he’s already raised more than $50,000 over the last four years.
“Cole’s Cancer Crusade is a kids obstacle course event, and I raise awareness for the Snowdrop Foundation.”
The Snowdrop Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients like Scarlet Tafalski.
Danielle Tafelski tells FOX 11 Scarlet was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of two and had to go through treatment for about two and a half years.
“The Snowdrop foundation we discovered a month into her treatment and it was perfect timing. We felt alone, we had no idea of anyone who went through this, and they introduced us to other families who had leukemia as well.”
Scarlet and her family were also introduced to the Stoffel family and have been huge supporters of Cole’s fundraiser ever since.
“Cole has done a great job and an inspiration for our kids. So any kid that comes out can see that it’s not just grown-ups that do big things, kids do things too.”
For Cole and his family, each fundraiser comes with a new experience.
“It’s amazing! He gets more excited and makes adjustments to the events and we are obviously proud of him and the impact he is making and teach, and the connections he is making with these families,” said Cole’s mother Julie.
Cole said he’s hoping to share that same wonderful feeling with people in his community and hopes more people will sign up to participate.
This years event will be at Appleton East High School on July 27th from 8:30 am to noon.
