Gator Student-Athletes Create Smiles at 10th Annual Climb for Cancer Event
Saturday, October 24, 2015 | Volleyball
Special to GatorZone.com from volleyball redshirt freshman Lindsey Rogers
Photo gallery by Tim Casey, Delanie Gourley, Lorraine Hoffmann and Kelsey Stewart.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Normally Florida student-athletes display their talents on the field of play, but Saturday it was all about more than 50 children battling cancer that took to the field at the University of Florida's annual Climb for Cancer event.
Climb for Cancer is a non-profit foundation co-founded by Ron and Dianne Farb. The idea for the foundation came from their passion in climbing mountains and desire to raise money for families battling cancer.
“We use climb for cancer as a metaphor for cancer,” Dianne Farb said. “Going through the treatments and hopefully going into remission is like climbing a mountain and reaching the summit of the mountain.”
Saturday marked the Climb for Cancer Foundation's 10th annual Brandon Ling Memorial Sports Camp. The camp gives children the opportunity to forget about their past or current battles with cancer, and allows them the chance to play soccer, football, basketball and volleyball with Florida student-athletes.
“It's a day to not think about anything but having fun,” Leslie Garrison, the mother of a participant, said. “It's a great thing that Ron and Dianne do, and we are really thankful to have the opportunity to participate.”
The sports camp was named after Brandon Ling, a boy who once attended the event but unfortunately has since passed away.
“Brandon loved this camp, and that's why they named it after him,” Susan Ling, Brandon's mother, said. “We love this event, and we come every year. We keep him alive.”
Saturday was just as rewarding, if not more, for the Gator student-athletes. Over 100 student-athletes from multiple sports were in attendance.
“It feels good to help other people,” senior men's tennis player Diego Hildalgo said. “It does not only help them, but it helps me grow as a person.”
The sports camp creates lots of laughter and smiles among the children, but most importantly it allows them to feel normal.
“What I like about this camp is that the kids can come out here and feel normal,” Ling remarked. “They don't have to deal with any treatments, and they don't have to talk about it.”
In addition to allowing the participating children to feel normal, the camp annually gives Florida student-athletes the chance to step back from their school and training routines to grasp the bigger picture of how sports can be used as an outlet for others.
“I think it's fabulous that these athletes come out on their own time because they don't have to,” Ling continued. “I just love it, and they're so personable with them too.”
Although the one-day camp flies by each year, it's the lasting bonds that keep the Gator student-athletes and children coming back for more each fall. Farb said she has seen these bonds formed throughout the years, many of which last beyond the camp.
For the 10th straight camp, Saturday was no exception as the Gators used their talents off the field to create another year of memories with the children and their families.
“It's a fresh breath of reality,” freshman baseball player Blake Reese said. “Being around the kids makes you realize what sports are all about. Everybody fights their own battles, and despite what they are going through they come out with a smile on their face.”
