Aug. 23, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University soccer players Kaley Blanton, Katie Danehy, Shanika Thomas, Alyssa Whitehead and Julia Wright all paid a visit to Children's Hospital in downtown Birmingham on Monday.

The players spent time with patients in the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in-patient unit at the hospital. The players gave the children plush bulldogs and drawstring bags.

"It was a huge blessing to spend some time with the children at Children's Hospital," said Whitehead. "God opened my eyes to so much and I can't wait to go back."

Blanton added, "Visiting Children's Hospital was an awesome experience. It was so humbling to see the smiles on the kids' faces who are going through so much. I can't wait to go back."

Monday's visit was the kickoff to the soccer team's mission to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Samford soccer will host Pediatric Cancer Night on Friday, Oct. 21, against Davidson. All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer's mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child's quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnoses and continuing throughout survivorship.

The Foundation provides services to children with cancer as well as their families through its cancer care center, Hatch's House of Hope. The Foundation provides all services at no cost to the families. Services are funded solely by the generous donations of its supporters.

Throughout the season, members of the Samford soccer team will take part in "Team Beads of Courage," a program through Children's Hospital. A group of players will wear a bead at each home match in honor of a child with cancer.

After the match, the bead will be returned to a patient at Children's Hospital, along with a note of encouragement. The purpose of "Beads of Courage" is to bring a boost of encouragement to a child coping with serious illness and needs the most encouragement.

Samford soccer will continue to visit Children's Hospital throughout the season.

"We are very appreciative to have Samford team members take time out of their schedules to visit with our patients and their families," said Sharon Likos, Community Liason - Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. "This was a fun and exciting opportunity for patients to spend time and interact with college mentors."

Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, Oct. 21, as the Samford soccer team raises awareness and collects donations for Pediatric Cancer and the Hatch Foundation.

The Hatcher Foundation's Official Website