SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Team Captain Will Honor Father in Fundraising Walk

Published on September 15, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—On Thursday, the warm fall twilight at Shelby Farms will be broken up by glowing globes of white and red, echoing the glowing memories burning in the hearts of families of people who have struggled with leukemia and lymphomatic cancers.

One of those red balloons will be carried by Memphis RiverKings team captain Don Parsons. Parsons will be serving as honorary chairman in the "Light The Night" walk to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Parsons' father lives in Boston and has struggled with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for more than a year.

Parsons was chosen as honorary chairman because he led a goals-for-charity program during the 2002-2003 season benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. He set a personal record best in scoring with 71 regular and playoff-season goals.

"My dad has done so much for me throughout the years," Parsons said. "He was the one who put me in skates for the first time and supported me in everything. I just want to give back a little of that, to show my appreciation for everything he's done."

The goals-for-charity program, Parsons' Pledge, raised $30,000 to help people with leukemia and lymphoma and also to aid deaf children in the Memphis area.

"It's hard to live here day by day knowing my father is up North pretty sick," Parsons said. "It's hard to sleep sometimes at night thinking that any moment that could turn, and he might go without me having spent enough time with him toward the end. I hope that by supporting organizations like Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, scientists can complete the research we need to find a cure, so one day other families won't have to go through this."

The walk will be Thursday, September 18th, at Shelby Farms' Patriot Lake. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Participants will carry flickering illuminated balloons along the two mile walk. Cancer survivors carry illuminated white balloons, and all other participants carry red balloons.

To participate in the walk and carry a balloon in memory or honor of a loved one with cancer or who overcame cancer, the cost is $25. Prize incentives are available for those who raise more. Examples include a Light The Night T-shirt for everyone who raises $100; a Light The Night walk sports pack including a bag, polo shirt and water bottle or a Light The Night carry-on with wheels for those who raise $1,000; and a DVD player or Palm handheld for those who raise $2,500, among others. For the team that raises the most locally, each person will receive a free pass to Putt-Putt Golf and Games.

To register online as part of the Parsons' Pledge team, visit the Web at www.lightthenight.org and specify "Parsons' Pledge" for your team. Interested parties may also contact Michelle Stubbs at (901) 507-1634 or StubbsM@tn.leukemia-lymphoma.org. Day-of registration at the event is also available.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



SPHL Stories from September 15, 2003


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.

OurSports Central