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Sports

Second Annual Coaches vs. Cancer a Success

L'Anse Creuse North and L'Anse Creuse high school basketball teams opened their respective seasons today with a special event benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Pink was the color of the day at as the second annual basketball event took place on Saturday.

The boys and girls teams from both L'Anse Creuse and L'Anse Creuse North basketball programs participated in the event. The games began at 10:30 a.m. with the freshman boys game, and concluded at 7:30 p.m. with the varsity boys contest.

This event, however, is about much more than a basketball game. Last year, the event raised $5,500, and many hope this year's event can surpass that number.

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Off the court there are a variety of ways the event is trying to raise money: a silent auction of several different pieces of sports memorabilia; a movie and video game sale; clothes raffle; and the pink event T-shirts which feature names of cancer victims who are connected to various members of each school.

"Between the silent auction and DVD sales, everything that's happening, people donating their time and services, it's all for a great cause," said Bob Johnston, coach of the L'Anse Creuse North girls varsity team and one of the event's organizers.

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Also at the event was a booth featuring information pamphlets from the American Cancer Society, providing educational information about the disease as well as ways for people to get further involved.

"It's awesome," said Kelli Kaschimer, a representative of the American Cancer Society. "It's a really great opportunity for kids to get involved. The kids not only learn about community awareness and fundraising, but also the impact of the disease and its health risks."

Many at the school expressed how impressed they were with the community coming together and making the event such a success, given today's economic climate.

"We've gone through a couple tough years, but I am a little surprised, but when you're talking about a cause such as this people just find a way to give," said Kim Rawski, athletic director and associate principal at L'Anse Creuse North. "So many people are touched by having a family member or friend that goes through cancer. Everywhere around us some form of cancer is prevalent.

"I think when you bring up cancer, I think people, they just gravitate to whatever you're putting on whether its a walk or an event like this," Rawski said. "People are willing to give."

This is the first Coaches vs. Cancer event of the young basketball season, with more scheduled later in the season. Despite it being only the second annual event, Kaschimer said L'Anse Creuse organizers are like seasoned veterans.

"This one is one of the biggest in the area," she said of the event. "They put a lot into it and really know what they're doing, which is surprising since this is just year two."

With the success this event has had in only its second year, the sky is the limit for the future. Coach Johnston said he hopes the event continues.

"What's really nice, it seems the community at large has embraced this, and that's what this is really about," Johnston said. "To raise awareness, and certainly that has happened."

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