Donkey smooches raise funds for cancer

Here's a new way to motivate kids: Promise to kiss a burro.

Classes at Buist Academy were recently told if they raised at least $50 for a children's cancer center, their teachers would smooch the furry face of a small donkey.

Apparently it worked. The downtown school raised $1,500, and more than 25 teachers puckered up last week in front of a roaring crowd of students chanting, "Kiss him! Kiss him!"

The money will be matched by pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, for a total of $3,000.

The charity event was the brainchild of Buist Spanish teacher Robin Polasek, whose husband was diagnosed with melanoma in August.

For 4 1/2 months, Dan Polasek underwent regular treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. While there, he was moved by the children suffering from cancer.

He said he will never forget the ones who visited him and other adults to read them books. "It makes a very bad thing pleasant for a moment."

The children's attitudes amazed him. "You realize they're going through it just like you are, but they have smiles on their faces," he said. "You want to help keep that."

While her husband was in Texas, Robin Polasek stopped in at Red Top Feed. (The Wadmalaw Island couple has two sheep, two pigs, two horses, two dogs, a miniature horse, a pony and a cat.) She mentioned to a woman there that she wanted a burro to help raise money for children with cancer.

"You pay for the gas and I'll bring him down," Robin Polasek remembers the woman saying.

About a week after Dan Polasek returned home, a trailer arrived to his surprise. "Dan had always wanted a miniature donkey," Robin Polasek said.

He named the animal Wen-Jem, the first name of the oncologist he believes saved his life. Though Dan Polasek was told by another doctor he likely wouldn't live past the end of 2007, he is currently cancer-free.

The Polaseks plan to continue using Wen-Jem to help MD Anderson Children's Cancer Center find cures and make young people's stays more comfortable. They'll charge people to have their pictures made with the burro at an upcoming S.C. Pinto Horse Association Show, and may hold another Kiss the Burro event at Charlestowne Academy, where Dan Polasek teaches social studies.

The 8-month-old burro has found a place in the Polaseks' hearts, and they hope it will speak to others.'

"He's an awesome little guy," Robin Polasek said.

Reach Kristen Hankla at 937-5548 or khankla@postandcourier.com.