This weekend, the Aurora Central Catholic Football program, along with the ACC Cheerleaders and Dancers will be “Teaming-Up” with St. Jude’s to promote awareness for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
All around the country, teenagers are making a difference in the lives of patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with Team Up for St. Jude. The Team Up for St. Jude program is a student-led, student-run philanthropic program in which high school students raise both funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The program engages students in a combined effort to fight childhood cancer and show their school spirit at the same time.
“I have been very aware of the mission of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for quite some time,” ACC Head Coach Brian Casey said. “We began looking into the possibility of bringing this program to ACC back in the spring. The Dance and Cheer teams were interested in making it a ‘Friday Night Football’ event, and our student-leaders have done a great job building excitement within the school for this weekend.”
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Ranked one of the best pediatric cancer hospitals in the country, St. Jude is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay.
On Thursday, Football players, Dancers and Cheerleaders will write letters to family members, friends and neighbors to get the word out about St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Staff members from St. Jude’s will be on-hand in the ACC Cafetorium to provide food, drinks, and entertainment during the letter writing event.
Friday night is St. Jude’s night as the Chargers host Wheaton Academy at Bob Stewart Field. Magnets, Postcards, Stickers, Balloons and more will be passed out to fans as they arrive for the game. Members of the Varsity Football team, along with the ACC Dance Team and Cheerleaders will also make a short presentation at halftime of the Varsity game.
“We are very excited about this event, and I am extremely pleased with how well some of our students have taken initiative with the running of the event,” Casey said. ”This is a very special cause when you think of some of the things these young children are going through. When you hear some of the stories from St. Jude’s, all of a sudden losing three games in a row doesn’t seem like such a big deal.”
If you are interested in learning joining the Chargers in helping St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or if you would like more information on St. Jude’s, you can visit the St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital website.
