By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Rachel Wink wears a hat in her third-grade classroom while her hair grows back after chemotherapy. But she's not the only one sporting headgear. Her classmates at Our Lady of Victory decorated baseball caps and wear them in solidarity with Rachel. The Cincinnati Enquirer/MEGGAN BOOKER

In Mrs. Schwier's third-grade class at Our Lady of Victory School, every kid sports a colorful baseball cap, decorated with markers and watercolor paints.

Even the teacher wears a cap. If the kids forget, Mrs. Schwier reminds them: "I just say this is for Rachel, and they put it on right away."

Rachel Wink's hat is different. It's a turquoise winter hat dotted with sparkles, covering the tufts of brown hair growing back after months of chemotherapy.

When diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in September, Rachel was only afraid of one thing: that classmates would make fun of her when her hair fell out. But a nurse at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center explained to classmates what would happen as Rachel underwent treatment for cancer, and Rachel's classmates painted caps to wear when Rachel is in class.

"It's a really unifying thing for these kids," said Donna Schwier as kids filed in from recess and promptly put on their caps. "I was worried they might make fun of her when her hair fell out, but they've been great. We just have hat head a lot."

It's just one example of how these third-graders - and parishioners at this Western Hills Catholic church - have rallied around 8-year-old Rachel and her family.

"When I bring her back from treatment, all these kids are just so excited to see her," said Rachel's mom, Linda, who quit her job after Rachel was diagnosed. "The school and the church, they've been so supportive about everything."

To help offset medical costs, the church is throwing a benefit dance this weekend. They hope to raise upwards of $10,000 for the family.

Right now, things look up for the brown-eyed girl; the cancer appears to be in remission. She's still going to pompom class and Brownie troop meetings. She wants to try out for the Seton mini-drill team next year.

Our Lady of Victory Church in Delhi Township is holding an adult benefit dance Saturdayto help the Wink family offset the medical costs from Rachel's Hodgkin's disease. The dance is sold out - nearly 400 tickets have been sold at $10 apiece.

For information, call Lorrie Huser, 513-922-7448.

Donations may be made to the Rachel Wink Fund at Franklin Savings Bank.

E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com