Schaumburg, Conant girls play water polo Thursday to fight cancer
The Schaumburg and Conant High School Girls Water Polo teams have joined forces to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event with a fundraiser game at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Schaumburg High School.
“We wanted to support a nationwide organization that also benefits our local community,” Schaumburg co-captain and senior Casey Houts said. “Cancer is something that hits home for everyone in some way, and so we wanted to be able to support this valuable cause.”
The game was the idea of the Schaumburg captains, junior Ashley Johnson and Houts, who wanted to start a tradition for the team to contribute to their community.
“Water polo is generally an ‘under the radar’ sport and we want to be able to give back to our community in a way that shows people we’re here and helping out,” Johnson said.
Instead of doing the game by themselves, the Saxons reached out to the Cougars to participate as well. The Cougar girls’ water polo captains were eager to get on board.
“I think this fundraiser is a good idea because it’s for a great cause,” Conant co-captain Rachel Hamilton said. “The fact that we are rival teams makes it all the better because it will bring out more support and donations. It will be a great game and we’ll hopefully raise lots of money.”
Each girl has a fundraising goal of $25, which would mean the teams would raise more than $1,000 for the Schaumburg Relay For Life, which will make a significant positive impact on the popular local event. Many girls have significantly exceeded the fundraising minimum already.
“I am so incredibly impressed by what these kids are doing for not only their schools, but for others within the community,” Schaumburg Head Coach Beth Donatucci said. “They stand for what athletics are about: coming together for a greater good while sharing a passion.”
While admission to the game is free, both teams will sell T-shirts the week of the game and $5 from every T-shirt will go directly to the Schaumburg Relay For Life. They will also be hosting a bake sale during both the junior varsity and varsity games, all of the proceeds of which will go to Relay For Life.
“I was ecstatic when the girls approached me about the fundraiser, especially because we are trying to get the high schools in Schaumburg more engaged in our event this year,” Tony Randall, Event Chair for the Schaumburg Relay For Life, said. “The money raised at our Relay directly helps cancer patients in need throughout our community.”
According to Randall, the money raised by the fundraiser game will help the Northwest Suburban Region, which provided 1,588 rides to and from treatments, distributed 211 wigs and had 1,485 first encounters with cancer patients last year alone.
“Knowing the qualities of both the Conant and Schaumburg girls in and out of the water really shows that these girls are more than just great polo players and student athletes,” Conant Head Coach Justin Bickus said. “It really shows the integrity and great character that we expect in our sport and schools and the kind of kids we have representing our teams.”
For information on the Schaumburg Relay For Life, visit relayforlife.org/schaumburgil.