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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Parsons to visit DeSoto Central Middle School as part of walk-a-thon benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma

March 26, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—The season hasn't stopped for Memphis RiverKings team captain Don Parsons, who is in throes of a race to help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Parsons was nominated by the community for The Society's "Man of the Year" race, which he is running in honor of 4-year-old leukemia patient Brooklyn Fielder. The ‘Kings have helped out by holding a jersey auction and by selling hats with Parsons' name, number and signature embroidered on them, with all proceeds going to benefit Man of the Year.

In addition, The Society has received several private donations from individuals and corporations, chief among them, a $500 donation from NBC bank and $600 from Maddox Foundation.

Donating isn't limited to adults—students from DeSoto Central Middle School's Beta Club are spearheading a walk-a-thon on Friday, April 2 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to benefit Parsons' cause in raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He will help kick off the event visit with students.

"I think it says a lot about these students in that they are thinking of others who are less fortunate than themselves," Parsons said. "Cancer is so devastating. Science and doctors get closer every day to a cure, and it's because of what people like these students are doing."

Beta Club students are required to do service projects. The students chose to benefit research for the disease through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because of two people associated with the school who have been personally touched by leukemia.

The husband of sixth-grade teacher Gail Whiteside, who is a basketball coach at DeSoto Central High School, has gone into remission for the second time recently for the disease. A family member of one of Whiteside's students was also recently diagnosed with the disease.

"We are very honored that the school chose The Society for this walk," L.L.S. Campaign Director Michelle Stubbs said. "They could have chosen anyone to benefit, but they chose us, which is really a great honor.

"It's also wonderful that the RiverKings team captain has chosen to work with us. Don Parsons is very humble and down-to-earth and flexible. It's great that the school and Donny could work together in the effort to find a cure. We are really excited by all that is going on."

This is Parsons' second year to actively help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their fundraising efforts. Last year he championed the cause of cancer patients in honor of his father, who was diagnosed several years ago with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Society was a primary beneficiary of his goals-for-charity program, Parsons' Pledge.

Hats are still available for $20 each at the RiverKings' offices at the DeSoto Civic Center. To find out about making a donation or buying a hat, call the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755.



Central Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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