Rally Foundation

East Side Chargers baseball team joins childhood cancer fight

by

East Side Chargers baseball team

Thanks to Dana Wright, manager of the 11- and 12-year-old East Side Chargers, for letting us know about how his kids are are getting ready for a big summer tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. in a special way.

Instead of holding a fundraising drive for their trip, Wright says, the boys have decided to use the occasion to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer during the season.

Specifically, they’ve created a Kids Helping Kids Program called Hits-4-Childhood Cancer Research, along with the Rally Foundation.

That’s the Atlanta non-profit that is devoted to childhood cancer research and awareness with some connections to youth athletes in East Cobb who’ve passed away: Grace Bunke, a Walton swimmer, and Matt Hobby, a Pope football player.

The East Side Chargers began their fundraising drive on Feb. 1, but is continuing until July 1, when they’re getting ready to head to Cooperstown. Wright says they’ve raised about $2,500 thus far, and here’s how the pledging works, and all donations are tax-deductible: 

The program is very simple. . . . People can pledge a flat amount OR to help motivate for the boys on the field by pledging $ for EVERY TEAM HIT during the season.

We will play 30+ games and estimate 4-5 hits per game—bringing the total to 120-150 hits. We ring a cowbell at every game for every hit. . . This really motivates the kids and has generated new pledges.

We are also looking for other teams to join and set up their own program. . . . Rally will do all the work and make it turn key for any other coach or team families to participate.

More viral we can make this – the more money is raised to fight childhood cancer.

It has really motivated these young men on the field to work harder, given them a sense of pride knowing that they are helping other kids and giving them a better understanding of the disease.

Attached is a flyer for more details. For more, visit the Hits-4-Childhood Cancer page.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Grace Bunke, Walton student and U.S. Paralympic swimmer, dies after cancer battle

by

UPDATE: April 14 memorial service slated for Grace Bunke

Grace Bunke, a Walton High School freshman and U.S. Paralympic athlete who made her battle with cancer public, died on Sunday.

Grace would have turned 15 years old today

A post by her mother, Vicki Bunke on her daughter’s Caring Bridge page on Sunday delivered the news:

“At 1:18 in the afternoon today, Grace departed her earthly home for her eternal one. Not until the very moment that Grace took her last breath did I realize how much strength and courage it takes to leave your loved ones and face death. She held on as long as she could, and we will always cherish every minute of every day that we had together as a family of four. My heart holds so much anguish, love, and admiration for her and for Caroline. Perhaps what hurts the most is admitting that here with us was no longer the best place for Grace; but rather, there – in Heaven – is the best place.”

Grace was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer, at the age of 11. She underwent many rounds of chemotherapy, had part of a leg amputated and had two lung surgeries during her ordeal.

Grace used her illness to raise money and awareness for cancer research, through organizations like the Rally Foundation and Swim Across America. Originally a track and field athlete, she turned to swimming in 2015, training at Swim Atlanta in East Cobb, and later became a member of the Walton and U.S. Paralympic teams.

The U.S. Paralympic Swimming team offered this statement about Grace today.

Here’s what Grace wrote about her cancer battle for the Rally Foundation:

“Although it might seem to others that I am just a very small fish in a very, very big and often unforgiving sea, I can still make a difference. I can make a difference by sharing my story and raising money desperately needed for research.

“Please don’t feel sorry for me. I believe one way God loves us is to let us love others. To provide hope to others. You provide me great hope. Your generous financial support for Rally allows my life to have an impact.

“Together, we will change the outcome for kids with cancer. I am hopeful and believe that you and I, and researchers, with God’s help, will one day give all kids fighting cancer a bright, long future.”

Vicki Bunke said in her post Sunday that Grace asked that donations could be made in her honor at the 2018 Swim Across America fundraising page. All proceeds will benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Grace was treated.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!