Special guests from Kids with Cancer Society become Global Edmonton reporters at the Fringe

Global Edmonton has extra staff on hand for a very special assignment at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival on Wednesday.

Four young people from the Kids with Cancer Society spent the day with Global Edmonton’s Carole Anne Devaney and Jesse Beyer down at the Fringe Festival, learning what it’s like to be a news reporter. It’s all part of the Kids with Cancer Society “Dream to be a Global News Reporter” experience.

The reporters taking on the assignment for the day are Mariana, Gaberielle, Ellie and Kaylin.

Mariana, 9, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2020. Her treatment will not end until 2023. Mariana loves the colours pink and purple, and enjoys art, singing and Lego.

Gaberielle was diagnosed at age 10 with a malignant ovarian germ cell tumour — a rare pediatric cancer. A nearly seven-pound tumour, which affected her right ovary and fallopian tube, was removed during an emergency surgery. The tumour later recurred in her liver, diaphragm and lungs.

Gaberielle then went through nearly four months of intensive chemotherapy, three major surgeries and two minor surgeries. She is now 13 and currently in remission with long-term monitoring. Gaberielle enjoys drawing, digital sketching, biking and reading.

Ellie, 12, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February 2021. She’s six months into treatment, which is scheduled to be finished in June 2023. She loves makeup, crafts and music.

Kaylin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in April 2021 and her treatment will last three years. She is a creative girl who loves art, singing, and music.

5:06 Edmonton afternoon weather forecast live from the Fringe: Wednesday, August 17, 2022

The kids started their day by taking in a show at the Fringe.

“We went to a show about aliens and it was pretty good,” Kaylin said.

During Global News at Noon, all four were live on air with chief meteorologist Jesse Beyer, providing Edmontonians with the most up-to-date weather forecast.

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Their day also includes putting together full stories for Global News at 5 and Global News Hour at 6, with the help of anchor Carole Anne Devaney.

2:12 Special guests spend the day learning to be a reporter at the Fringe with Global Edmonton staff

Gaberielle said the story is all about their day at the Fringe.

Mariana and Kaylin interviewed Fringe performer Rory Turner, asking him great questions about how long he had to prepare for his show, why it’s important to interact with young kids and what got him into theatre in the first place.

“When I was in Grade 6, I found out my school had a drama club. So I joined drama club and ever since then, I’ve been doing plays in school and then I went to university for theatre as well so I’ve been doing it for probably 12 years now,” Turner responded.

1:46 Amateur reporters get chance to shine at Global Edmonton

• Amateur reporters get chance to shine at Global Edmonton
• Guests from Kids With Cancer Society help present Edmonton weather forecast
• Special guests from Kids with Cancer Society learn what it’s like to be a Global News reporter
• Global Edmonton weather forecast with ‘reporters for the day’ from Kids with Cancer Society

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This year’s dream experience was purchased earlier this year at the Beaded Journey Gala for $36,000 by Frank Lovsin, Qualico Communities and Dan Hamilton. All of the proceeds from the experience go directly to the Kids with Cancer Society.