Gator Student-Athletes Participate in Annual Climb for Cancer Sports Camp
Saturday, October 3, 2009 | General
For the fourth year in a row, University of Florida student-athletes participated in the Climb for Cancer Sports Camp, held annually at the UF campus, on Saturday morning. The Gators interacted and played sports with local children diagnosed with cancer.
Climb for Cancer Foundation was founded seven years ago by Ron and Dianne Farb and aims to raise money and produce events that help “ease the pain and suffering of people affected with cancer.”
At this year's camp, young Gator fans played football, soccer, volleyball and basketball with their favorite Florida athletes, as well as ran obstacles courses and tossed baseballs around. Organized through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the attendees traveled around with Gators from many of the sports teams to the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, the Lemerand Center, James G. Pressly Soccer Stadium and the football practice field.
The UF student-athletes enjoyed the day as much as the children.
“Today is a good chance to give back to the community and play with the kids,” Junior softball player Megan Bush (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) said. “We get to give them some attention and have fun with them.”
Senior gymnast Ashley Kerr (Plant City, Fla.) agreed as she completed the obstacles course with some campers.
“This is my third year doing this and I come back every year because it's a great way to interact with the kids,” Kerr said. “We have a lot of different teams out here and all the kids love to talk to each one of us and we get to talk to them and their parents. It's just a great way to be with the kids, interact and have fun, and get their minds off all of the negative in their lives. To give them a little bit of positive really makes us feel good as well.”
Former football player Paul Wilson (Lakeland, Fla.) explained how the children inspire him to not take anything for granted.
“If I have a bad day this puts everything into perspective,” Wilson said. “These kids don't take anything for granted and it's just amazing the strength that they have. It's a great day to see the kids come out here and give it everything they got. We come to participate with them and let them get out and just live. We love it.”
Ron Farb, who spends his free time climbing some of the world's tallest peaks in order to raise money for cancer research, noted how the aim is to make the day special for all the children.
“We thought they would enjoy a special day out here where they can be normal kids and meet the student-athletes and just have a great time,” Farb said.
Climb for Cancer is a not-for-profit organization that has funded or created several programs which provide support to the patient and family, research grants, and given kids the opportunity to attend camps such as this one. For more information about Climb for Cancer and how you can help, visit www.cfc-foundation.org.
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