“Crush Cancer” basketball fundraiser held at DuBois Area Highschool

DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) – The DuBois Area girls’ basketball program organized a “Pink Basketball Game” to raise funds for the Hahne Cancer Center at Penn Highlands Healthcare in DuBois.

The theme of the event was “Crush Cancer” and the team already raised almost $189,000 to directly help cancer patients in the area.

The junior varsity game started at 11:00, followed by the varsity game at 12:30. During the break between the games, the teams held a ceremony to honor several community members who have bravely fought cancer.

Linda Fordoski is a cancer survivor who supports the annual event in Rockaway and Dubois every year.

“I always support the annual events in Rockaway and Dubois, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping the American Cancer Society with their relays and other initiatives,” Fordoski said. “I strive to be a blessing to everyone I meet.”

As the girls handed out roses to cancer survivors, emotions spread throughout the gymnasium, touching everyone present.

“My sister had breast cancer and she just passed away last year a day after my birthday so that means even more to me to be apart of that and iv been a cancer survivor for twenty years a lot of my family has had cancer to so I always look forward to this,” Fordoski said.

JV and varsity players distributed a total of 40 roses. Senior Lynx Lander mentioned that this event holds a special place in her heart.

“I have two grandparents that passed away that I never got to meet from cancer so it means a lot to be able and play the game today and be able to recognize al the people who have been diagnosed with cancer who have been in memoriam or still here today,” Lander said.

Apart from the games and the ceremony, there was several other activities such as raffles, a bake sale and a concession stand. Staff say they are hoping to raise more money than last year.