Taking breast cancer awareness beyond fundraising

Neuqua Valley soccer player Courtney Keefer was just a tyke when her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Much of the impact was over her head.

The second time Laura Keefer was diagnosed, in 2008, Courtney was in middle school. The disease was a little more real.

“It’s always been like a major part of me ever since,” said Courtney Keefer, who last season started in goal as a freshman.

“There was definitely a maturing process. I didn’t necessarily know all what was going on, but now that I do I try to do as much about it as I can.”

While Laura Keefer thankfully now has a clean bill of health, her daughter’s interest in activism and awareness has blossomed. When Neuqua Valley, Naperville North, Waubonsie Valley and Naperville Central meet next Wednesday for a pair of soccer matches at North Central College, the theme will be one of breast cancer awareness.

Courtney Keefer and Wildcats teammate Shannon Donlan, whose own mother, Lisa, is still recovering from last year’s bout with cancer, have spearheaded an effort aimed to include but also exceed typical “pink-out” efforts of ribbon logos on T-shirts and pink socks.

“Pink-outs are great and fundraisers are great, but let’s get beyond that,” said Laura Keefer, who noted that players from the four teams have already begun a season-long effort to create fleece blankets and assemble goody bags for chemotherapy patients at Edward Hospital Cancer Center in Naperville.

Waubonsie Valley plays Naperville Central at 5 p.m. An address by Naperville Mayor George Pradel may start the proceedings, but that hadn’t cleared by deadline time.

At about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, before Neuqua and Naperville North play, breast cancer survivor and 2011 Mrs. Illinois Zara Johnson will deliver a short speech, part of a brief program. There will be a “survivors circle” wherein cancer survivors in attendance are invited to take the field, receive a flower and be joined by players from all four teams. The two games also are part of Community Soccer night in Naperville, so children who wear their youth team jerseys will get in free and will also be invited to join the circle.

A 50-50 raffle and auction items will be on hand, and the girls certainly won’t decline additional donations. Proceeds will be donated to the Edward Foundation — specifically the Cancer Center for free mammograms, and Camp Hope, a summer camp for kids who have a parent or loved one living with cancer.

Once that survivors circle disbands and Neuqua Valley and Naperville North play, there promises to be fireworks. Last year Naperville North beat the higher-ranked Wildcats 1-0 in the sectional finals. Neuqua remembers.

“This is a huge rivalry game,” Courtney Keefer said.

As she’s already learned, however, life has bigger things in store.

“It’s not just about soccer and about the teams, but it’s about community and helping others and providing money to these charities,” she said.

Blue chip water polo

None other than water polo guru Aaron Brown of illpolo.com said Naperville Central girls water polo coach Jeff Plackett “loaded up” the Redhawks’ annual invitational tournament this Friday and Saturday.

“As things are taking off in the western suburbs, we really feel like we have built the premier tournament this early in the season,” said Plackett, whose squad has won it the last several years.

The coach expanded the tournament to eight from six teams “with the blessings of a very patient (athletic director) Marty Bee,” Plackett said. Of them, only former state power Oak Park is not ranked among the top 14 teams by illpolo.com.

The big catch was landing Fenwick, ranked No. 1 and state champion six times in the 10 years the Illinois High School Association has held a state playoff series. The Friars and their three All-Americas make their Redhawks tourney debut and will be joined by No. 4 Mother McAuley (three-time state champ), No. 5 Fremd, No. 10 Homewood-Flossmoor, No. 13 Mundelein and No. 14 Naperville North, which features stars Audrey Chien, Taylor Bridgeman and Sofi Prorok.

Host Naperville Central, 2009 state runner-up (to Fenwick), follows only the Friars in the latest rankings. Plackett’s No. 2 Redhawks have both goalie Julia Campbell and Emily Sejna headed to play at Michigan, with Abbey Kerth Arizona State-bound.

It starts with 5 p.m. pool play between Naperville North and Fremd. There will be five matches Friday and seven more pool play matches starting at 8 a.m. Saturday before the final rounds begin at 1:50 p.m. and conclude with the 4:20 title game.

If the field plays as it’s ranked, Naperville Central and Fenwick will meet in the title match. There will be no trophy or plaque awarded the winner, Plackett said. None is needed.

“This tournament’s going to be the talk of the Illinois water polo community for a few days,” he said, “and that should be enough.”

doberhelman@dailyherald.com