Montreal students unite for dance-a-thon to support classmate battling leukemia

Hundreds of students filled the gym at Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in Montreal’s east end Friday afternoon — not just to dance, but to stand behind a classmate.

The school-wide Dance-a-thon brought together students from every grade in honour of Joey, a nine-year-old Grade 4 student currently undergoing treatment for leukemia.

The event was part of the school’s annual fundraising campaign, which this year supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Joey, who is in the consolidation phase of treatment for Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), joined the celebration virtually.

Fundraising in Joey’s honour

The campaign has raised over $41,000 to date, as students, staff and families rallied around Joey’s story. A large thermometer near the school entrance tracks their progress toward the $50,000 goal, coloured in by students each time donations increase.

Each year, the school community selects a cause to support. This year’s choice was deeply personal: to raise funds in honour of Joey, and to show him and his family that they are not alone.

A student, a skater, a fighter

Joey is a well-loved student known for his radiant energy and passion for figure skating. Earlier this year, he was ranked among the top 10 competitive skaters under age nine in Quebec. He also competes in synchronized skating, where his team has reached the podium multiple times.

His diagnosis came after months of unexplained pain and fatigue, which began affecting his ability to skate and attend school. In July, after a series of medical appointments, blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, he was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment immediately.

He is currently being treated and continues to take chemotherapy medication at home while attending multiple hospital visits each week.

Community support in motion

Joey is unable to return to school until March, but his presence is still felt throughout the building. He visited briefly on the first day of school alongside his siblings, and staff have remained in contact. Teachers have supported his siblings, and some have become pen pals with Joey.

The school’s commitment extends beyond Friday’s Dance-a-thon. Many students, staff and families are also set to participate in the Light the Night Walk on Oct. 25 in Montreal’s Old Port, a national event in support of the blood cancer community.