Charlo athletes help in fight against breast cancer
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In Charlo, fall athletics mean more than just going head-to-head in Class C action. Charlo athletes also take the time to make a difference in their community. For the second consecutive year, the Lady Viking volleyball team took it upon themselves to raise money during Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. This year the football team joined them, almost doubling their final dollar amount.
Last year, the volleyball team raised $850, which was donated to help with St. Luke Community Hospital’s free mammogram program. With larger goals, and the football team’s help, Charlo Schools were able to raise $1,500 this year, which was equally split between St. Luke and Cheerful Hearts last Tuesday.
This year, Charlo had a big week of fundraising efforts, along with a “Pink Night” at a volleyball game where the girls wore pink shirts, while the football team displayed pink socks throughout the month.
“I like the idea of giving back, since everyone’s given a lot to us,” volleyball captain Dawn Blevins said. “This year (the fundraising) was a lot more important to us, and we raised a lot more money (than last year).”
Volleyball head coach Sheryl Kain accompanied the volleyball and football team captains as they made the presentation to St. Luke mammography staff.
“I think it’s a great cause,” Kain said. “It makes them more aware of the stuff going on. I wish we could raise money for every group. (Breast cancer) comes home to us.”
Kain added how close cancer has come to her in her own family, stating her sister-in-law died of cancer, and that some of her athletes’ mothers have also endured the disease.
For St. Luke, this means their free mammogram program can continue to thrive and help save lives free of charge for those who qualify in the service area.
“I’m very overwhelmed that kids think of this,” St. Luke Foundation executive director Gayle Wilhelm said.
“Many of them have been touched (by) breast cancer … and the greater picture is that this actually does help people.”
For the past eight years, St. Luke has provided free mammogram screenings for those who qualify. According to Wilhelm, to qualify, both men and women must be uninsured, over 40 years of age, have no history of breast cancer or breast implants and also live in the area served by the healthcare network. To date, the local hospital has given 65 free mammograms, that individuals can come at any time throughout the year to get a free screening.
Other funds for the program come from the St. Luke Employee giving program, where employees are invited to contribute one hour of pay per month to promote health and wellness in the healthcare network and throughout the community.
“The community has been very supportive,” Kain added. “We hopefully can keep it going.”
