Above: District and Finn School staff where honored for supporting an ESP while she waited for a much needed organ transplant. (images cropped from Finn newsletter)
The Community Advocate covered the story of a woman who was working in Finn School’s PreK while struggling with “an ultra-rare cancer”. This month, she visited the school to show her appreciation for how school staff rallied to support her.
Christina Aguirre’s illness with Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE) required a liver transplant, which she successfully got in 2022. The CA writes:
As a volunteer with New England Donor Services (NEDS), Aguirre nominated the school for its 2026 Employee Recognition Award to thank the staff for all the long-term support she received throughout her transplant journey. . .
“They showed compassion, flexibility, and patience during one of the most uncertain times of my life,” Aguirre said.
The story also includes her appreciation of the students she worked with as an Educational Support Professional at Finn, following her diagnosis:
“I honestly had no idea what I was getting into, but little did I know that I would need [the students’] laughter or smiles … more than they would ever know,” Aguirre said. “To my preschool class, you gave me some of the best moments and brightest days during the most challenging times of my life. Thank you for giving me purpose each and every day.”
For more details, read the full story here.
Earlier this month, a Finn newsletter, also mentioned the honor and shared:
Christina expressed heartfelt gratitude to Superintendent Martineau, HR Director Heather Richards, Preschool Administrator Jennifer Henry, and the entire Finn staff for the compassion and support shown throughout her transplant journey. This recognition celebrates Christina’s strength and resilience while also reflecting the empathy and community spirit that define our schools.
