Jackson dedicates week to raising funds to fight cancer

In the past few years, Jackson has lost at least two young people to cancer, Brody Gard and Nolan Weber. To honor their memories and raise funds and awareness, "We Believe You Can Be Strong Week" is planned for today through Jan. 16.

According to the district's website, Jackson basketball is teaming with Southeast Health, the BstronG Forever Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to offer a week dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support local families battling cancer.

"The week is dedicated to two young Jackson R-2 School District Students, Brody Gard and Nolan Weber, who inspired a school and a community to never give up the fight," the site said.

Brody Gard was a fifth-grader at South Elementary School diagnosed with inoperable Stage 4 brain cancer in July 2010. Nolan Weber, 18, died Dec. 21 after a nearly three-year battle with brain cancer.

Brody's parents are Mandy and Bernie Gard, and he has a sister, 17-year-old Hannah, and a brother, 15-year-old Jack.

Nolan's parents are Dean and Rachelle Weber; and he has a brother, Colten.

Mandy Gard, Brody's mother, said each sports team held its own cancer awareness nights, so Jackson basketball coach Darrin Scott wanted to make it a whole week with basketball games, raffles, T-shirt sales and a silent auction.

The T-shirts will say "We Believe You Can Be Strong," and some of the silent auction items are a basketball from local NBA player Otto Porter, a fire pit, four Cardinals baseball tickets and a basket full of gift certificates, Scott said.

The foundation was formed in December 2012, Gard said, adding that some friends of the family devised the concept as something positive that "came out of a sad situation."

"Its mission is to support families that have children with life-threatening illnesses through financial support, or whatever the family is in need of. We try and do our best to fulfill that need," Gard said.

Gard said her son was involved in athletics in Jackson. One of Brody's friends, Tanner Walton, came up with the "be strong" wording. The "We Believe" in the name of the week refers to the community's rallying motto for for Nolan Weber.

"[Walton] said we all need to be Brody Strong. That's where the B strong came from. It just kind of caught on after a while," she said.

So did the idea for "We Believe You Can Be Strong Week," which Gard said has been in the works since July.

"It's a little overwhelming," Gard said. "I didn't realize just how big this is going to grow. It has become a big deal ... thanks to Coach Scott. He initiated it. ... It's impressive how our community just really comes together."

Scott said it also involved parents from different age groups who liked the idea of doing more.

For tickets or other information, email Darrin Scott at dscott@indianhoops.com or Mandi Gard at mandilouhoo@hotmail.com.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Friday

* Jackson girls home game vs. Cor Jesu Academy at 6 p.m.

* Bake Sale

* 50/50 drawing

* T-shirt sales

Monday

* Wristband sales

* Hope thru Hoops Basketballs sales start during lunch and advisory

* T-shirt sales

Tuesday

* Home game vs. Woodland 6:30 p.m. start

* Fundraiser dinner, 5 p.m.

* Miracle Minute

* T-shirt sales

* Silent auction

Wednesday

* Wings Night

Thursday

* Junior high (seventh-eighth grade) vs. Cape Central

* T-shirt sales, bake sale, 50/50 drawing, halftime contests.