Words could not describe the emotions Superintendent Jim Vaszauskas felt as the doctors told him that he had thymoma cancer. After his bout with cancer, he wants other families fighting cancer to feel the amazing support he felt around the Mansfield community through Colors for Caring.
It took Vaszauskas a while to process the information the doctors told him, as he felt a range of emotions from shock and fear to resolve and determination. The Colors for Caring initiative hopes to honor the loved ones who are survivors or who lost their battle with cancer. He not only wants people to wear the shirt colors, but also take the time to tell the stories behind the one they are honoring.
“Colors for Caring was born of that idea, to show support for someone we know and love,” Vaszauskas said.
The monthly event will be held on Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Feb. 1, March 7, April 4 and May 2, the first Mondays of each month. Vaszauskas attended the first Colors for Caring meeting on October 2, and everyone told the stories of their experiences.
“It was very powerful,” Vaszauskas said. “The School Board was incredibly supportive, and I am blessed to work with such wonderful people.”
Vaszauskas’s Superintendent role in the district requires him to interact with people on a daily basis.
“While I was out recuperating, what I missed most was the people, the relationships,” Vaszauskas said. “So my mindset when I got back was to rebuild those relationships, and I have tried to do that, tried to appreciate our wonderful employees.”
Like Pink Fest, Colors for Caring can become another major event to support the fight of cancer in the MISD community and beyond.
“I hope Colors for Caring becomes a tradition and spreads to our entire community,” Vaszauskas said.
