By NICK MUNSON | nmunson@whag.com
Published 02/04 2016 12:29AM
Updated 02/04 2016 10:39AM
Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and young adults less than 20 years old, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
And so lots of of these patients are in our own communities – but a group of teachers in Hagerstown are fighting back, along with basketball.
The gymnasium at South Hagerstown High School was packed for a showdown on the hardwood on Wednesday night. Teachers and staff members from Eastern Elementary School and Salem Avenue Elementary School played in a charity game to “Box Out Leukemia.”
“There’s not enough money in cancer research, and there’s not enough money to help out families like this,” said Daniel Fowler, organizer and assistant principal at Eastern Elementary School. “So events like this are just so important to bring people together for awareness.”
This matchup is in its third year, and each time, organizers choose to support a family along with a child battling leukemia. This year, that child is five-year-old Elan Foutch, who was diagnosed last April.
“It’s a rollercoaster I’d like to jump off,” said his mother, Michele Foutch. “You know…you get that phone call, and your world stops.”
Elan couldn’t actually make it to the game – his white blood cell and ANC counts were too low, putting him in danger of infection. But his mother took residence the official game ball, signed by all of the players.
“He says, ‘mom, you went to work today and now you’re leaving me again.’ And I said, ‘but I’m going to go thank everybody who prays for us,’” Michele said.
The Foutchs aren’t the first family at the heart of “Box Out Leukemia.” For the last two years, the game has actually helped Melissa McCarter pay out-of-pocket costs during the treatment of her daughter, Mackenzie.
“I will never, ever be able to repay what was done for me,” Melissa said. “But now, there’s another family who needs us – and that’s where I can come in and help the next family.”
About 500 people filled the gym, and all ticket sales go straight to Elan’s family for his treatment. Organizers said they’re expecting to raise more than $4,000.
Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
