Caring for Kids with Cancer

Izzie Gosling's Work with the Pinky Swear Foundation

Many of our Cougars didn’t necessarily set out to lead, but rather to serve others…and wound up becoming an inspiration along the way. Izzie Gosling ’21 is a perfect example of taking a cause that hit close to home and creating a movement with far-reaching effects. Read on to learn how her work with the Pinky Swear Foundation has helped benefit children with cancer, as well as inspire others to follow her lead.

Q: How and when did you become involved with the Pinky Swear Foundation?

A: I have been working with the Pinky Swear Foundation (PSF) since I was 12 years old. (Izzie is a now a senior.) My soccer coach’s son was diagnosed with cancer, and the entire soccer club rallied together to support his family. It was incredibly difficult watching Dalton and his family struggle emotionally and financially, so after learning that PSF was helping to cover their costs, I knew wanted to make a greater contribution to the cause and get more directly involved.

Q: What have been some of your tasks/accomplishments with the organization thus far?

A: For the past five years I have served as a member of the PSF Youth Leadership Council (YLC), which organizes and volunteers at fundraising events, plans parties for the families the foundation supports, and raises awareness in various ways.

Last year I started a Pinky Swear Club here at Cannon, which has held food/supply drives, fundraising events, and made cards for cancer patients. I have also been working with executive members of the foundation to improve the

effectiveness of the YLC and establish a mentorship program within the council.

Finally, this summer I took several shaving cream pies to the face to help launch a virtual fundraising campaign, #CancerIsMessy, in lieu of the usual events like the annual triathlon that weren’t possible due to COVID-19.

Q: What has involvment with PSF taught you about leadership?

A: Being involved with Pinky Swear has taught me that being a leader means creating opportunities for others to demonstrate leadership and take on those roles. This year I took on the job of helping to plan the monthly YLC meetings and to transition them from being adultled to member-led, with each member leading a different segment of the meeting. I, along with the two other seniors, introduced this idea by leading the first meeting, and then passed on our roles to other members to lead the next meeting. It was far more rewarding seeing the member I had passed on my role to present in the next meeting than doing it myself.

I want to leave the YLC confident in the contribution I have made, and I think I have done that by preparing the younger members to take on bigger leadership roles. Overall, it has taught me that the best leaders will mentor even better ones to fill their shoes, and that there is always something to learn from others.

Q: What’s an important lesson you’ve learned from your involvement with Pinky Swear? A: An important lesson I have learned is the importance of reflection as a leader. One fundraiser I have held every year since I started high school is a dress down day for National Pinky Swear Day. Each year has been more successful than the last because I reflected on the weaknesses of the event and how it could be improved. More importantly, I learned that reflection is even more effective when done with a team who might be able to see things from a different perspective than you in order to have more success in the future.

As I reflect on my work with PSF, I have also learned the importance of resilience and being committed if you really want to make a change or see an idea come to fruition. Turning ideas into real events is one of the greatest challenges for the YLC, but it has taught me not to give up when faced with minor setbacks and that if you are really dedicated, you can make it happen.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your work with the Pinky Swear Foundation?

A: The motto of the PSF YLC is “Kids Helping Kids,” and I think that is a perfect reflection of the idea of leading by example. To me, the purpose of leading by example is to make it easier for others to follow you in a positive direction, and there is no doubt about the influence that peers have on one another.

My work with Pinky Swear has given me the reward of being a role model to younger YLC members and learning from other leaders, while giving back to families and their children who are facing extreme challenges. I continue working with Pinky Swear because I have seen the incredible impact that even the smallest gesture can have on those who are enduring difficult times, and that no act of kindness is too small.

To me, the purpose of leading by example is to make it easier for others to follow you in a positive direction, and there is no doubt about the influence that peers have on one another.

Interested in learning more about the Pinky Swear Foundation or helping out? Visit www.pinkyswear.org, or email Izzie at igosling@cannonschool.org.