St. Alphonsus School Donates Over $2,500 to “Luke’s Team”

The St. Alphonsus School community in Wexford recently donated over $2,500 to the American Heart Association and also walked with “Luke’s Team” at the recent Cranberry Heart Walk fundraiser.  “Luke’s Team” is named for Luke Ball, a second grade student and heart transplant recipient at the school.   According to his parents, John and Stacie Ball of Cranberry, Luke is alive today as a result of the many medical and technological improvements that were driven by the American Heart Association.

 St. Alphonsus has rallied behind the Ball family to support them and the American Heart Association for the past two years.  This year, over 100 parents, students, faculty and staff participated in the Cranberry Heart Walk.   In addition, the Friday before the event, students donated $1 each to be out of school uniform (a “dress down” day) which became part of the school community’s contribution.

“We were thrilled to receive such overwhelming support from the faculty and families at St. Alphonsus again this year.  It was an amazing outpouring of love and support,” said John and Stacie.

Now a healthy eight-year-old boy, Luke faced impossible survival odds at birth.  Born with a congenital heart defect, he underwent two surgeries before his first birthday while living in Portland, Oregon.  Realizing that their son would need significant, ongoing medical care, John and Stacie moved their family to Cranberry Township in 2008 so that Luke could be treated at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  He spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital, ultimately receiving a heart transplant on December 29, 2010  -  a Christmas miracle. 

The Balls were concerned about Luke’s return to the classroom after many months of absence, but their fears were quickly put to rest once they saw how the faculty, administration and students embraced him.  A counselor from Children’s Hospital paid a visit to Luke’s kindergarten class and spoke to teacher Carol Vargo and the students about the situation and also answered questions.   Principal Sister Mariella Bradley, RSM, has also been tremendously supportive, according to John and Stacie.  She allowed the student council to distribute “Pray for Luke” wristbands which the family said helped to build a loving St. Alphonsus family for Luke and his brothers.

In addition to Luke, John and Stacie have three other sons enrolled at St. Alphonsus School.      Nate is in first grade, Josh is in fifth grade and Jake is in seventh grade.  “We have never second-guessed our decision to have our children at St. Alphonsus,” said John and Stacie.  They added, “Although it is not the newest or largest school, there are several aspects which set it apart.  Sister Mariella is the leader of the school, spiritual guide and presence.  The school is highly-regarded scholastically and it is evident the caliber of faculty is key to their success.”

St. Alphonsus School, located on Church Road in Wexford, offers the parish and surrounding communities a dynamic pre-kindergarten through eighth grade educational program that is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and philosophy. The Diocesan school, under the leadership of Principal Sr. Mariella Bradley, RSM, actively teaches students to be contemporary Christians and tomorrow's leaders.