Lake Forest College Sports Information
October 21, 2009  
Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID

Foresters and their Opponents Playing for a Cure on Saturday
Funds will be raised for Ry McCarthy Award and American Cancer Society

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Eleven years ago, the Lake Forest College Athletic Department became involved with the Coaches vs. Cancer program in part because of a personal battle with cancer among a few staff members. Since that time, several members of the Forester athletic family have been affected by this disease. During those 11 seasons, Forester family, friends, and FAN Club members have raised and donated over $50,000 to the American Cancer Society.
                                                                                          
Last winter, cancer touched Forester Athletics in a different way when women’s hockey player Ryann “Ry” McCarthy ’11 was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Last winter, and with the same energy and fighting spirit that Ry displayed on the ice, the Lake Forest College Athletic Department announced a new programming initiative – Playing for a Cure. The program kicked off on February 14, 2009, with participation from the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the men’s and women’s hockey teams, the visiting basketball teams from Midwest Conference member Knox College, and the many fans, alumni, and FAN Club members in attendance that day. The event was a huge success on all fronts.

Late this summer, Ry lost her battle with cancer and the Forester Family endured a devastating loss. The fighting spirit against cancer that Ryann displayed until her final days has reinforced the determination and commitment that the Forester Family has to continue fighting this deadly disease. 

The "Playing for a Cure" program will continue on Saturday when the Lake Forest soccer teams host Grinnell College (10:00), the volleyball team hosts Grinnell (11:00) and Trinity International University (3:00), and the football team hosts Monmouth College (1:30). Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer the Foresters on to victory. The teams will be “Playing for a Cure” and showing their support by wearing pink t-shirts or other pink accessories.

Fans will be able to purchase pink "Playing for a Cure" t-shirts at Saturday's contests. The funds generated, be it from t-shirt sales, raffles, and/or donations, will not only continue to support the American Cancer Society, but will help the College endow a new award, the Ryann “Ry” McCarthy Award, which will be presented annually to the member of the women’s hockey team that best displays spirit, determination, dedication, and love for the game – the special qualities of the player for whom the award was named.