Gabby S Way Badge

Gabby’s Way Badge Western New York (Genessee Valley)

Introduction: The Story Behind "Gabby's Way”

Gabriella Marie Napodano, fondly known as "Gabby", was taken from us by a rare childhood bone cancer. Even after Gabby was diagnosed, she embraced life. A teacher at Saint Helen’s described her best: “Gabby had two speeds: Full & Stop.” She was a 10 ½ year old, busy 5th grader. Gabby loved the five years she spent in Girl Scouting with her friends! She also enjoyed Chili soccer and Little Red Dancing School! Gabby was also proud of her Mohawk heritage and loved to play on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Across fourteen months of treatment, which included two major surgeries and a stem cell transplant procedure, she continued to attend school. She accepted her illness and went on living as if it did not exist! It was Gabby who helped her friends & family cope with her cancer.

Gabby died on April 30, 2001. To honor her bravery we present this badge!

Requirements: You must complete at least six activities:

1. By yourself or with a small group, make a list of things you know about a childhood illness such as cancer, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, or any other. What happens to the human body because of the illness? Do you know any children in your community with a serious illness? How has his or her life changed? How can you help support children your age who have an illness such as cancer or diabetes? Write down everything you can think of about this. Share these ideas and brainstorm new ones with your troop.

2. Children with a serious illness do not have to face it alone. Neither do their families. Find out what support groups exist in your area for these kids living with illnesses. Contact one of these support groups by calling them or writing a letter with your troop. Ask them to send you information about the disease and the services they offer to children and their families. Discuss this information with your troop.

3. Ask to invite a guest speaker to your troop meeting. Perhaps you know someone who is a living with a childhood disease who might be willing to come and talk to your troop. Perhaps you can visit one of the local support groups. For the visit, prepare two questions about how the disease influences his or her normal lifestyle. Participate in a group discussion with your troop. How did this presentation help you learn something new?

4. Help out! With your troop, choose a way to assist a local support group, shelter, or activity. Some places might need new supplies. Other places might need a hand in cleaning up or organizing a part of their center. With your troop, donate your time and energy to a local organization.

5. Make a collage that shows family members helping each other out during hard times. What is different because of this disease?

6. Find out about careers devoted to working with children with illnesses. For example, find out what is required to become a physician, social worker, or family therapist.

7. Make posters publicizing events sponsored by family support services in your area. Include telephone numbers and addresses. Find out where these posters can be displayed. Check places like schools, libraries, churches, synagogues, and stores. Display your posters.

8. Rehearse and deliver a 1-3 minute verbal report about working on this badge to your troop.

9. Write an article with your troop (three paragraphs) that present the: Junior Girl Scout badge, childhood illness, "Quality of Life," and perspective that you have gained through this experience. Submit it to one of the local newspapers.

10. Reflect on what you have learned while earning this badge. What types of things did you learn about the illness you investigated? Did you learn new ways to help those with an illness? How did you change? What did you learn about yourself? What will you do in the future when you see someone with this illness?

When you complete the requirements to earn the badge, please contact Melanie Phillips at the Henrietta Program Center – (585) 239-7926 or [email protected] – to order your badge.