More than a game: WHS-EC gridiron contest honors cancer survivors, raises awareness

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Friday’s Wilmington High School home football game against East Clinton will also be a celebration of cancer survivors. The athletic department of Wilmington City Schools has teamed up with CMH Regional Health System and its Foster J. Boyd, MD Regional Cancer Center — now a member of The James Cancer Network at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Institute.

“October is breast cancer awareness month, and we try to do something every year to honor all of our cancer survivors and remind people how important regular screenings are,” said Troy Diels, Athletic Director for Wilmington City Schools. “When CMH approached us about teaming up this year to help grow the event, we were so excited.”

There will be a celebratory Lap of Love for cancer survivors at 6:15 p.m. before the start of the game. All cancer survivors are invited to come down to the track to take part.

Following the lap, CMH will have a hospitality tent set up with free hot chocolate and cookies, along with materials about the Foster J. Boyd cancer center and digital mammography at CMH.

“We’ve been trying to find every avenue possible to continue spreading this message,” said Kelsey Swindler, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at CMH. “It started with Brake for Breakfast yesterday and we are continuing it all month. Early detection is critical, and we are so excited to work with WHS this year to bring this message to an even bigger crowd.”

The Wilmington High School Hurricane football team will be wearing lavender ribbons on their helmets for the duration of the game to honor survivors of all cancers, the marching band will have a special halftime show, and the cheerleaders will be collecting donations for the Clinton County Health Alliance Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, which supports patients at the Foster J. Boyd cancer center with treatment costs.

“Our students are committed to this cause. They were out in full force at Brake for Breakfast yesterday—over 100 of them—and they will be out again tonight to celebrate our cancer survivors,” said Diels.

Swindler said that CMH will have educational and other materials available at halftime as well, and invites all to stop by to learn more.

“Breast cancer awareness doesn’t stop after Brake for Breakfast on October 1. This is our most diagnosed and treated cancer here at CMH, and we want to make sure we are sharing this message as far and wide as possible.”

Wilmington High School students invited people to Brake for Breakfast earlier this week. Friday night’s football game against East Clinton will include activities related to cancer awareness.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2015/10/web1_Brakecr2.jpgWilmington High School students invited people to Brake for Breakfast earlier this week. Friday night’s football game against East Clinton will include activities related to cancer awareness. Courtesy photo
WHS-EC game to raise cancer awareness, celebrate survivors

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