BLACKSBURG – With more children dying from cancer in the United States than any other disease, the Virginia Tech volleyball team has teamed up with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Vs. Cancer program to change this.
Throughout the season, the team has been raising awareness and funds for local kids with cancer, and they will celebrate their efforts on Friday during a home match against [RV] Florida State at 6 p.m. ET.
Started by pediatric brain cancer survivor and former collegiate baseball player Chase Jones, Vs. Cancer empowers any sports team, any athlete and any community to help kids with cancer. As a signature fundraising campaign of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Vs. Cancer proceeds help fund child life programs in local hospitals and groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors, the deadliest childhood cancer.
In partnership with Vs. Cancer, the Hokies have selected Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital to receive a portion of the funds they raise. The team has a goal of $7,000 this season and are counting on the generous support of their family, friends and fans to help reach their fundraising goal.
The Hokies' middle blocker Kai Young has led the charge to make this possible. Coming from a family that has dealt with the tough loss of losing a loved one to cancer, Young and her parents have sat down with Virginia Tech's HokieVision staff and head coach Jill Wilson to discuss their past with this ugly disease and how it has brought them closer together in fighting the good fight. Be on the lookout in the coming days for their full interview.
Tammy Bates, director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Southeast region, understands how vital these student-athletes are to the nonprofit's mission.
"We applaud the efforts and generous spirit of the Hokies," Bates said. "Vs. Cancer wasn't just built by athletes for athletes. We were started by a pediatric brain cancer survivor, and we see every day how important family support and research are for children to thrive. With the support of this incredible team, we're fighting for healthier, happier futures for these kids."
Visit vthoki.es/VB-VS-Cancer to learn more about the Virginia Tech volleyball team's fundraising efforts, and please come to the Friday match at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum to show your support for the Hokies and Vs. Cancer.
About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
As the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's mission is to care for families along their journey, cure all childhood brain tumors, and help survivors and families thrive. In 2016 the Vs. Cancer Foundation merged with the PBTF and now is a signature fundraising campaign of the nonprofit. Since 1991, the PBTF has funded more than $44 million in scientific discovery to increase survivorship, improve quality of life, and ultimately eliminate pediatric brain tumors. We also provide emotional support, information, resource referrals, and other free services to families, including emergency financial assistance, peer support, and college and vocational scholarships. In addition to Vs. Cancer, the PBTF hosts Ride for Kids and Starry Night. Call 800-253-6530 or visit www.curethekids.org/mission to join us in our mission to Care. Cure. Thrive.
