Each year members of the St. Joseph High School Football team conduct an internal vote to determine which member of the team will have the privilege of wearing a very special game jersey sporting the numeral one — the #1 player on the team. Fans of the team have been deeply moved by the team's decision to vote Kevin Jones that privilege this year. Kevin's story has circulated throughout the community for some time now. He's the young man who has battle brain cancer and is a survivor. That truly exemplifies the decision to change the annual "Play for Pink" game to "Team Up Against Cancer."
Essentially, all athletes, fans, and community members are encouraged to “Team Up Against Cancer” in southwest Michigan. The annual event, previously known as “Play for Pink,” is a community fundraiser and educational event dedicated to help those fighting cancer, provide information to increase awareness and prevention of cancer, and celebrate cancer survivors.
One of the most important ways to support “Team Up Against Cancer” is by purchasing apparel to wear to the game and in and around the community, with all proceeds going to assist local cancer patients in southwest Michigan through distribution to Berrien County Cancer Services, the Marie Yeager Cancer Center, and Susan G. Komen. Purchase of a t-shirt or hoodie will also admit the wearer into all high school sporting events at St. Joseph High School during the week of September 26 to 30. You can see that apparel and purchase it right now by following this link:
Place your t-shirt or hoodie order soon in order to assure you'll have it in plenty of time for all of the events.
The “Team Up Against Cancer” main event will be held on Friday, September 30 during the St. Joseph High School varsity home football game at Dickinson Stadium. Gates will open at 5:00pm with local vendors offering a variety of pregame food and beverages with 20-percent of the sales to benefit area cancer support organizations.
Special pink jerseys will be worn by the St. Joseph football team in support of the fundraiser and to honor the memory of Denise Bohn, a victor in the fight against breast cancer, who died earlier this year a victim of domestic violence. The jerseys will be pre-ordered and sponsored by friends or family members in honor of a loved one who has or had cancer. At the end of the game, the jerseys will be presented to the sponsors by the football team.
The St. Joseph High School Marching Band, along with all fall sports teams and cheerleaders, will pay tribute to those affected by cancer and salute survivors as they parade into the stadium during a pre-game ceremony. After the game, anyone wearing “Team Up Against Cancer” apparel is encouraged to enter the field to form a symbolic memory “ribbon” and mark the event with a group photo.
In addition to the football game, many educational outreach activities are planned for all grade levels within St. Joseph Public School system to learn more about prevention and treatment of cancer, as well as support services available to cancer patients.
Kevin Jones is a Senior at SJHS this year and, although he is not able to play, he is a key member of the SJ Bears football team who helps the team in a host of other ways while sporting that #1 jersey.
