By Phil Brozynski
“Volley for the Cure,” the fundraising effort for breast cancer awareness hosted by a number of schools throughout Illinois, has been called an overwhelming success by participating schools and members of the Illinois High School Association staff.
But the “Volley for the Cure” event held Tuesday, October 21 at Marist High School had special meaning for coach Natalie Holder and her players.
“Every year that I have been here we have had a player whose family has been touched by cancer,” Holder said. “This year, we have player whose grandmother is battling cancer. We have another player who has a six-month-old relative who has been diagnosed with leukemia.”
Marist raised more than $10,000 through T-shirt sales, raffles, donations and other money-raising efforts. The money is being donated to Little Company of Mary Hospital and an organization called “Faye’s Light,” which provides services for cancer victims.
Benet, Marist’s opponent October 21, also made a contribution.
“When I was looking for someone to participate in this event with us, Brad (Benet coach Baker) was the first coach to get back to me,” Holder said.
Although the Redwings put a little damper on the event by defeating the RedHawks, they also presented a check for an additional $1,500. Much of that money was raised through donations by Benet parents, Holder said.
“This was an opportunity for us to try to make a dent into this disease,” Holder said.
Naperville North and host Wheaton Warrenville South also raised more than $10,000 for “Volley for the Cure” on Thursday, October 23. But the day had even more meaning for Naperville North’s Audrey Wilson.
“My mother, Kristine, had breast cancer when I was in eighth grade,” Wilson said. “She’s fine now. But it was a very special and very emotional day for me.”
