Fight Against Cancer Holds Court At B-Ball Match
EAGAN, Minn. (WCCO) -- On Tuesday night at Eagan High School, a battle between conference opponents took center stage. The Eagan boys' basketball team played host to Burnsville, but another battle was brewing off the court.
The pink ribbons you the coaches wore were courtesy of a group of students. They symbolize a continuing fight against a deadly disease.
"Every time is a good time since we get to go support our home team and raise money for cancer and do whatever we can to help," said Evan Tubbs, one of 35 students that make up Eagan's "High Schools Against Cancer" organization.
Advisor and school nurse Kathleen Hook is a cancer survivor herself.
"Almost all the kids have an intimate connection, a parent, a sibling, who has been impacted by cancer. There are some really painful memories and they needed a way to channel that frustration and put that energy into something proactive," said Hook.
The students work basketball games, raising money for the American Cancer Society. And they are a big part of Eagan's Relay for Life, where they helped raise more than $50,000 last year.
But perhaps the most unique thing these teenagers do is help another student who is going through his own battle with cancer.
"We have a couple students helping him out with the different subjects he's in. So they go to his house and help teach him the material in school," said president Ashley Shewchuk.
"They are pretty amazing. They are pretty gifted individuals, but what amazes me most is this is a group of kids who are getting bigger and their main objective is to build a compassionate community," said Hook.
On Tuesday, WCCO awarded the students with a $500 check as part of the Community Spotlight initiative. The students say they will use the money for cancer education for the school.
Community Spotlight recognizes a group of students or team that is active in their community. It is sponsored by Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum and Carey Law Offices.
