OBERLIN, OH – In partnership with the Go4TheGoal Foundation since 2021, Oberlin Football continues to raise awareness and critical funds for pediatric cancer in Northeast Ohio. Go4theGoal provides funding for cancer research and financial assistance for families of pediatric cancer patients, operates fun hospital-based programs, grants wishes, and supplies state-of-the-art products to pediatric oncology units across the country.
During the bye week, October 1-14, Yeomen student-athletes fundraised more than $8,100 to bring Oberlin Football's total contribution to more than $21,000.
"I am inspired by the selflessness of our team," said Coach
John Pont. "This project brought forward our core values of love, care, respect, and faith with a community focus. Cancer has touched so many lives, and the energy Team 133 put into finding a way to serve those fighting is close to my heart. We appreciate everyone who supported this cause."
The top individual fundraisers included:
Draper and Lotinsky – both top fundraisers over the past two seasons – shared stories of their connection to pediatric (and other) cancers during the week on social media.
"In school, I had a good friend and football teammate who not once - but twice - beat pediatric cancer and was able to get back on the football field his senior year," Lotinsky said. "My aunt battled ovarian cancer for 19 years until she was too tired to fight anymore. She passed away last year during football season on 9/22/22, which is why I wear something teal during every game in her honor. One of my grandfathers was taken away from me by cancer before I had a chance to know him. Raising money to fight cancer is important to me because of them. Cancer is scary for any age, but I can't imagine being a child fighting this big battle."
"Natalie was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor that metastasized to her lungs," Draper said. "She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, along with her kidney … then endured nine months of chemotherapy and radiation. There are so many details I remember about that year. I remember when she lost her hair … so I let her shave mine. I remember the shots in her legs to boost white blood cells. I remember the days she was too tired or sick to play, and I remember the happiness on the days she was feeling better. She has been in remission for 13 years, and thanks to pediatric cancer research I have far more memories of her being healthy than sick."
Fundraising concluded with the traditional "Lace Up" vs. Cancer game vs. Wittenberg, where Oberlin players wore yellow shoelaces in support of the fight against pediatric cancer. In the intrasquad fundraising challenge, senior
Hunter Wilson of Cape Coral, Florida, led his group to victory – contributing $2,230 (28%) of total funds raised.
Since 2007, Go4theGoal has funded nearly $1 million in research – a critical fight as cancer is the leading cause of death among children, yet less than 4% of federal funding is devoted to battling pediatric cancer.
To support your favorite Yeoman – visit
goyeo.com/Go4TheGoal
About Go4theGoal Foundation
Go4theGoal Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard and Beth Stefanacci, soon after their oldest son Richard was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. In 2011 Go4theGoal launched two national campaigns, National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day and Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer. These campaigns give schools, businesses, and sports teams an opportunity to raise awareness and much needed support for kids battling cancer. For the past four consecutive years, Go4theGoal has earned the honor of "Top Rated Non-Profit" by Great Nonprofits and is a 2021 Platinum Nonprofit by Guidestar.
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