Today we are launching the fifth annual Team Summer Challenge! YAY!! Supporters will be raising money for Team Summer from June 6th – July 10th. We have a big goal – $30,000!! Team Summer has been growing by leaps and bounds. Our kids have already given gifts in 23 states, and we are determined to make it all 50 states! Here’s a link to everyone’s individual fundraising pages. Can you pitch in to help them reach their goals? Chose someone to support and donate!
Here’s a story about why we do what we do. Remember when we first told you about Ian? He’s the sports fanatic who was recently surprised with a bunch of jerseys of his sports idols! Who could forget that smile?!
Ian had been fighting a brain tumor, but that did not stop him from turning right around and finding a kid with cancer he could help – 11-year-old Evan.
Last fall, Evan was living his best life! He was running track and playing football competitively. And he loved anything to do with the outdoors, especially fishing! Then, he started getting sporadic headaches. Plus, he had neck pain, too. It was hard to know what to make of it, because the pain would come and go. But his pediatrician decided it was better to be safe than sorry and ordered an MRI. The results were frightening. Evan had a tumor in his brain the size of a tangerine.
Immediately, Evan was admitted to the hospital and went straight into surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. And the very next morning, he went back into surgery to have the tumor removed.
That was really just the beginning. He had to travel out of state for proton radiation therapy – 30 sessions in all. Then he dove right into chemotherapy that will continue until January 2024. Life as Evan had known it has come to a complete halt.
Team Summer kid Ian heard about what Evan was going through and, boy, could he relate. He, too, had been dealing with treatments for a brain tumor, so he totally got it. He started planning a Team Summer surprise for Evan.
When the big day came, we got the boys together over Zoom and made the introductions. And then it was time for Ian to let Evan know he was about to become a Team Summer kid…and that there was a big gift waiting for him. A 7ft-long gift, to be exact! Something Evan had really, really wanted!
Can you tell that Evan knew what the gift was as soon as he started opening up the box??!
A NEW FISHING ROD!! A very special one! One he could grow into and use for a long time. Evan put together his new rod and reel like a pro! Pretty awesome, huh?
When we asked Evan which he preferred to fish in – lakes or rivers, his reply made us all laugh: “Anywhere there is water!” And he found some water within days and tried out his new rod. Success! He caught a fish almost as big as his smile!
Ian, we are so proud of you for reaching out to help another kid with cancer even after everything you have been through. A true Team Summer kid!
This gift was given in Wisconsin – one of 23 states in which our Team Summer kids have given gifts! Our goal is ALL 50 states!! Right now, a loyal group of supporters is beginning to raise money for Team Summer to help us make that happen! Can you help them help us?
P.S. It’s not to late to join these wonderful people! Email your picture and goal to info@teamsummer.org, and you can jump right in to help, too! We would so appreciate it!
