Members of the Bishop Noll Institute high school girls’ basketball team are playing hard on and off the court to make a difference concerning cancer awareness. Their efforts scored cancer care baskets for patients at the Cancer Resource Centre in Munster.
At Bishop Noll Girls Basketball, head coach Vanita Golston has always made sure the girls understand the importance of humility and giving back.
“Just about everyone directly or indirectly knows someone who has had cancer,” Coach Golston said. “Each year we organize a donation or give our time to those going through hard times.”
The idea of baskets came from Coach Golston and the girls’ mothers. Comfort items were gathered and placed in the baskets including fleece blankets, detox teabags, crayons and coloring books, travel pillows, mugs with lids and other stress relieving soaps and lotions. Senior DanNeli Campbell shared her special talent of making realistic looking hair wigs and added several to the collection of items in the baskets.
“Bishop Noll girls’ basketball team is a family and we all pitch in to help,” said Gregory Jones II, team supporter and founder of g2hoops.com, marketing firm. “We have found that basketball is a universal language that brings people together.”
Baskets will benefit patients at the Cancer Resource Centre in Munster. The resource center is a program of the Community Cancer Research Foundation, a not- for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of cancer care in northwest Indiana and the south Chicago suburbs. All services of the Cancer Resource Centre-support groups, mind-body-spirit classes, educational offerings and a resource library-are offered free of charge to those in need.
Since first opening its doors in 2003, the Cancer Resource Centre has offered all of its services free of charge to all who enter, including those receiving care from medical treatment facilities other than the hospitals of Community Healthcare System. The Centre is funded from donations and grants, in-kind donations and volunteer support.
Individuals may check out books, view videotapes and other educational material within the library or conduct internet searches to obtain research concerning diagnosis, treatment and general information. Groups gather in a safe, socially distanced environment to share experiences in social and professionally-led sessions for support. Virtual and actual classes and programs with COVID precautions in place are offered to help individuals connect in their experiences and to promote emotional wellbeing.
The Cancer Resource Centre is located at 926 Ridge Road in Munster. Satellite locations hold classes in Crown Point and Valparaiso. For more information on the mind-body-spirit programs and a complete listing of upcoming virtual classes and events, visit cancerresourcecentre.com or call 219-836-3349.