The Smith-Cotton High School boy’s soccer team supported local cancer patients with proceeds from the Tigers’ Cancer Awareness Night fundraiser.
Between the junior varsity and varsity games against Battle High School on Monday, October 18, S-C players presented representatives from Bothwell Regional Health Center with a check for $1,343, which were raised through T-shirt sales.
Executive Director of the Bothwell Regional Health Center Foundation, Lauren Thiel-Payne says the donation will go to the Patient Assistance Fund at Bothwell’s Canon Center for Cancer & Cardiovascular Care.
The funds will be used to purchase items such as meal replacement shakes, gasoline gift cards and more to help cancer patients having financial stress during their treatment.
Kara Sheeley, Bothwell’s director of oncology services, says, “These funds, as elementary as it sounds, are what get patients through treatment. They are living paycheck to paycheck sometimes, and they don’t have the money for the side-effect prescriptions that come in. There are costs that pop up, and it is so nice when one of the nurses call me and say, ‘Hey, Kara, can you help with this script?’ I just run to the pharmacy and pay for it and it is done, no questions asked.”
S-C Boys Soccer Head Coach Ethan Weller said getting involved is important to him and his players. “Cancer affects so many people in our society. It doesn’t just affect the person battling cancer, but it affects the people closest to them. This was a chance for our program and our boys to give back and advocate for the individuals who are fighting cancer each and every day.”
Photo: (Courtesy of Sedalia School District 200) Smith-Cotton boys soccer senior Sam Cash, front center, presents a check for $1,343 on behalf of the team to, front from left, Deidre Esquivel, Bothwell Regional Health Center Board of Trustees member; Lauren Thiel-Payne, executive director of the BRHC Foundation; and Kara Sheeley, Bothwell’s director of oncology services. The funds were raised through T-shirt sales for the Tigers’ Cancer Awareness Game against Battle High School on Monday, October 18, at Tiger Stadium.