Students, staff supporting Jackson teacher with cancer

A drawing of two boxing gloves accompanied Jackson teacher Sharlett Eftink when she began her cancer treatments toward the beginning of the school year. The drawing, which was completed by a student at Jackson Junior High School, will now adorn the T-shirts of staff and students as they show support for her battle against cancer.

Teachers and students are rallying behind the communication arts teacher, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in September. Staff are holding small fundraisers, and the school will participate in a walk May 5.

"First and foremost we want to show our support," said Carrie Lattimer, an administrative assistant at the school. Lattimer said staff wanted to raise money to help cover expenses for Eftink's treatment, which will involve surgeries at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Staff started selling the T-shirts Monday and by midmorning had sold 15. Teachers are also donating money to wear jeans for a week, said Autumn Stevens, a communication arts teacher and one of the event organizers.

Eftink's diagnosis in September affected the school's community, said Stevens, also one of Eftink's former students.

"She's just basically the rock of our school," Stevens said. As the school shows support, she said they are also finding strength in Eftink, a teacher with the district for 14 years.

"She's a very selfless person," Stevens said.

Lattimer said staff wanted to enter a 5K but decided to do something that would involve students, who are making signs and participating in the event. A week from Wednesday students and staff will walk around West Lane during the advisory period, which starts at 12:45 p.m. She said Eftink and her family will come to the event, which precedes surgery on her liver later in the month in Houston.

"This is an outlet for us to show her how much we love her," Lattimer said.

She said Eftink had surgery and received chemotherapy treatments earlier in the year. She missed school on Wednesdays for the chemotherapy but continued teaching through the treatment. She later found that the cancer metastasized to her liver and she would need a complicated surgery. She has since been out of school for about six weeks, Lattimer said.

The remaining treatments will span her summer break, but Lattimer said Eftink plans to be back in the classroom in the fall.

"She is the most hopeful person you'll know, so that will get her through all this," she said.

For information about the event, call the Junior High School at 243-9533.

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Pertinent address:

210 North West Lane, Jackson, MO