chapter 4

It was now late August and school was going to start soon. Hot shot, Hoist, Wedge, Medix and Whirl were suppose to be in Kindergarten when school started they were looking forward too it. But they couldn't go because they had to stay in the hospital still. They were going to be in the hospital for quite awhile they were pretty sick still. They said even after they go home they might not be healthy enough to go to school for a while.

They were sad they were really looking forward to going to Kindergarten and start learning things and having fun. Luckily for them the hospital had a program for kids during the school year and where they can keep up with school while staying in the hospital. Things like special screen times that allow them to learn in the classroom without being there. It was wonderful to say the least and they loved it very much.

They even had special teachers to provide age and grade appropriate learning for the children. Hot shot, Hoist, Medix, Whirl and Wedge all going learn things that Kindergarteners learn. Like basic math, the alphabet, colors, music, learn about plants and animals, and learn about family life, friendship and self.

They were looking forward to their first day especially when they found out the teacher they were suppose have school was Ms. Leaf and they were all in same class at the same school. Ms. Leaf had already explained to the other children about what is going on with these students and why they are in the hospital and why it will be a long time most likely until they meet them in person.

The school robot screens started up and Hot shot and his friends could see inside their classroom. They got to meet the other kids in the class and their teacher Ms. Leaf. They even had special books to use during these classes with robots that allowed them to attend school at the hospital. They were having a good time. They were starting to learn the Alphabet, numbers, writing, adding, subtracting, and many other things.

They enjoyed it very much. The child life specialists and teachers there also helped them when it came to school. They played age appropriate school videos for them. It was to help them learn about things and do well in school.

Some of the kids in classrooms had questions for them. They could talk to them through the robots. "What is it like at the hospital?" one kid asked.

"It's fine, they are helping us get better, giving us medicine and treatments to help fight the cancer," Hoist answered.

"Why do you always wear the hats?" one kid asked.

"Oh because the treatments for cancer makes your hair fall out," Hot shot said.

"What treatments?" the same kid asked.

"Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy. These treatments make people and kids who get these treatments for cancer feel weak, or tired, or sick, and make their hair fall out. Some kids and adults who get cancer treatment and lose their hair they like to wear wigs, others like to wear hats, scarves or bandannas, a few choose to be themselves and not wear anything on their heads." Medix explained.

"Can we catch cancer from you guys?" one kid asked.

"No you can't catch cancer, it is not caused by germs, it is when the bodies own cells go wrong," Wedge said. "You see we are all made up of cells they help us grow and do all the amazing things a body can do, the body makes them everyday think of them like trees in the forest, but right Hoist, Medix, Hot shot, Whirl and I's bodies are making a few wildfires. We are getting treatment to help get rid of the fires and become healthy again," he said.

"Well I think you hats are pretty cool," one of the kids said. She was girl named Override she became friends with Hot shot and his friends over the time on the screen. "I wish there was something we can do to help," she said.

"Yes I wish there was something we could do," said a boy named Scorch who also became their friend.

"Well you all can be supportive of them and let them know as their friends you are there for them, to listen to them and let them know you will be good friends during this time," Ms. Leaf said.

After class was over the kindergarteners in the same class as Hot shot and his friends told Ms. Leaf an idea they had. They wanted to show support to their new friends and other kids with cancer by holding a fundraiser and shaving their heads to show support. Ms. Leaf thought that was a good idea and talked about with the principal and the school board who thought it was a good idea to help children with cancer because many children are affected by this as are their families and they are going to help them.

The money was going towards to help fund childhood cancer research and to help families have children with cancer to pay the bills. They sold many things at the fundraiser there were toys, books, and snacks. There was even an area where teachers and kids could go and get their head shaved to support childhood cancer patients. All of Hot shot's and his friends classmates had their heads shaved as did Ms. Leaf.

Hot shot, Hoist, Whirl, Medix and Wedge got to see it through the robots. Their families were glad the school was supporting them and helping childhood cancer patients and funding childhood cancer research.

It was wonderful the kids at school were very happy to help the kids at the hospital. Hot shot and his friends were looking forward to going home and to school in person soon.