On Wednesday, Oct. 7 Grosse Pointe South’s field hockey team hosted their annual Stick it to Cancer game. This successful fundraiser continues to bring in new engagement raising their funds for St. Judes Cancer program.
These past weeks they planned their annual Lets Stick it To Cancer car wash. Lauren Crawford ’27 enjoys putting in her time with these events and her teammates.
“We love participating in these kinds of events,” Crawford said. “We try to get the most participation from our family and friends as possible.”
Dealing with many sporting events, athletic director Andrew Rishmawi understands the importance of fundraisers like these. With the multiple sports participating in these fundraisers, his help is needed in many directions.
“We try to be involved in whatever group it is,” Rishmawi said. “For basketball we do the coaches vs cancer which involves getting jerseys and stuff like that.”
With October being breast cancer awareness month, coach Jessie Rouleau has held this event for five years. She believes that something special about this event is that it is against Grosse Pointe North.
“This year North is running the event,” Rouleau said. “Both teams were extremely successful with their car wash raising around $1,500.”
This event is held close to the team’s hearts, understanding that cancer is something that affects everyone in some way. Both teams try to make this game have a deeper meaning, Crawford goes over how the game is laid out.
“At this game all of us are able to recognize someone who has dealt with cancer,” Crawford said. “Whether it was someone in our family or it was a friend, we play this game for them.”
Knowing that cancer has a large effect on many people’s lives, Rouleau reflects on the group of people that it brings together. With both teams participating there ends up being a large group of spectators.
“With October being cancer awareness month it is important that we recognize it,” Rouleau said. “This is a way we can bring a community together and at the end of the game it is a celebration where we take a group picture together.”
As part of the team, Crawford finds it important to recognize cancer and the effects it has on people. She is glad that both high schools can come together and connect on a topic like this.
“Although the rivalry between North and South is strong, playing this game always means the most,” Crawford said. “We love seeing everybody come together and play their best.”
