While the Lady Tigers ended the 10/5 game in defeat against Massac, the ceremony that took place was one to be celebrated.
Each lady from the Herrin team took up the mantle of walking a cancer survivor onto the court floor. And to honor those who are still fighting, or are no longer with us, the player walked down holding a lone pink and white rose.
In order of those announced:
Janiya Harrison (12) walked in honor of John Thorton who lost his battle of pancreatic cancer. Karli Mann (12) walked with her Aunt Jane who has won her battle with breast cancer for the past 9 years, and walked in honor of her Uncle Jim who lost his battle with lung cancer. Jersey (12) and Dwayne Summers walked in honor of Jerseys’s grandma, Gloria Summers, who lost her battle with breast cancer.
Kendal Yates (11) walked with James Reed who is still fighting with prostate cancer for the past year. Skylar Yates (11) walked with Joyce Eades who won her battle of breast, endometrial and skin cancer for the past 14 years. Skylar also walked in honor of Karen Wavering who lost her battle with lung cancer.
Harley Summers (10) walked with her grandpa Dallas who won his battle with prostate cancer for the past 16 years. Sydney Mcree (9) walked in honor of TJ and Evenlyn Creek, who lost their battle with colon and breast cancer. Ayalah John (10) and Aeryn John (10) walked for Rachael Pollack, who has been fighting head and throat cancer for the last 6 months. Emery Skaggs (10) walked in honor of her Uncle Darren Josten, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Cayle Ward (11) walked for Tricia Shannon who won her battle of breast cancer for the past 8 years. Saylor Ray (11) walked for Shanetta Donaven, who won her battle of breast cancer in 2004 and again in 2016. Matti Walker (11) walked in honor of Gloria Engler, who lost her battle with lung cancer.
Haleigh Absher (10) walked for Erica North, who won her battle with breast cancer for the past 4 years. Haylee Smith (10), walked for Pat Causer, who won her battle of breast cancer for the past 3 years. Gigi George (10) walked for Wyatt Reed who has been fighting Ewing Sarcoma for the past 2 years. Gigi also walked in honor of Krista Tacderas, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Josie Brandon (10), walked with Holly Harrison who is currently in treatment for breast cancer, and Bob Harrison who has won his battle of prostate cancer for the past 2 years.
Kylie Wagoner (10), walked in honor of Sylvia Smith, who lost her battle of breast cancer. Alayna Jarvis walked with Mary Jarvis, who has won her battle of breast cancer for the past 4 years. Haley Durham (9), walked for her father, Tom Durham, who has been fighting brain cancer for the past 3 months. And lastly, Madelyn Wedking walked for her Grandma who has been fighting breast cancer for the last 7 months.
The Lady Tigers make a stand against cancer, firstly by standing with those it has affected, and honoring those it has taken. Tears were shed in the memories of these fighters.
Herrin Tiger Journalists give our condolences to the families who have lost a loved one to cancer, and we stand with those who are still fighting, and who have won.
Their fight, is our fight.
