Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has proclaimed Friday, September 6, 2019 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in Evansville.

This day also coincides with Memorial High School's 7th Annual SamStrong Childhood Cancer Awareness Football Game.

SamStrong is a local foundation started by Memorial High School Class of 2012 graduate Sam Featherstone before he passed away from brain cancer. The goal of SamStrong is to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. There are many events in the community that is put on by SamStrong, such as the annual Putt Fore Life Event at Midget Links Miniature Golf Course. Another event is the SamStrong Childhood Cancer Awareness Football Game.

According to Sam's mom, Tammy Featherstone:

Each year Memorial dedicates a home football game to childhood cancer awareness and invites the visiting team to join the cause.   This year Memorial is hosting North on Friday at Enlow Field.   Unfortunately, childhood cancer is becoming more common in our community.   Last year Memorial hosted Reitz for the SamStrong Childhood Cancer Awareness Football Game when Reitz student, Camden Hancock, was battling cancer.  Sadly, Camden passed away the following month.   This year, North freshman football team member, Riley Haynes, is currently battling lymphoma.   Everyone attending the game is encouraged to wear gold, the official color recognizing childhood cancer or a shirt supporting childhood cancer awareness.   Many North fans will be wearing RileyStrong shirts and many Memorial fans will be wearing SamStrong shirts.   Gold SamStrong shirts will be available for purchase before the game with all proceeds dedicated to research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 

September also happens to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. This is why you will see so many events in the Tri-State and country that are dedicated to raising awareness and funds to research childhood cancer. You're invited to join in and support organizations like SamStrong this month in helping fight childhood cancer. You can start by attending the Memorial vs. North football game tonight. As Sam said, “We all have the capability to make a difference in this world; we just need to be bold enough to do so." For more information about SamStrong, visit www.samstrong.org

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