Janesville’s Edison Middle School re-enacts ‘1925 Serum Run’

In 1925 an outbreak of diphtheria hit the town of Nome, Alaska. The medicine was sent part way by train, and then traveled 674 miles by dog sled. In all, twenty different dog sled drivers took part in the historic “Serum Run.” These brave men were able to get the needed serum to Nome in only week’s time.

On March 30, Edison Middle School sixth-graders made their own “serum run” re-enactment by bringing a lifesaving donation to the House of Mercy in Janesville. Running in teams of 15 so all students could participate, each team ran one or two blocks to relay the “serum” from Edison to the Mercy Health Mall.

The event was part of a unit on “Challenges,” that was reinforced with classroom reading and demonstrated the Edison Mission Statement: “We, the Edison Community, believe all students can be successful, therefore, we hold high expectations for safety, learning, core values, and community involvement.” The Van Galder Bus Company donated buses and the Janesville Police Department escorted student runners and Edison staff to make the “Serum Run” a community event.

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Last updated on 4/2/2007