Xplorers Visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Published on June 10, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss.âThe Memphis Xplorers arena football team visited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Tuesday as part of a project to raise money for patients at the hospital. Hollywood Casino is sponsoring a jersey auction to benefit St. Jude patients on Saturday night immediately following the Xplorers' game against the Birmingham Steeldogs. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com.
A shy boy with no hair approached Xplorers player Ron Simone in the lobby of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and asked for his autograph.
"Sure, but only if you'll sign mine," Simone said. Despite his initial surprise, a wide smile spread over his face as he took the silver pen from the man and scrawled his name on Simone's team yearbook.
Simone, who plays full back/linebacker for the team, said he enjoys bringing a smile to any child's face, but especially one who is sick.
"To go through any type of treatment is tough," Simone said. "We're spending time with them, but it makes them feel special to give autographs to us. It feels good to do something special for them."
The players spent time downstairs visiting with patients and their families before touring the facility.
"It's amazing how resilient these kids are," kicker Stephen Green said. "You can learn about yourself from them. You know, I miss a kick and go home and pout about it, but these kids are fighting for their lives."
The visit was designed to be a unique opportunity for team members to get a personal perspective on the impetus behind this Saturday night's jersey auction, sponsored by Hollywood Casino to benefit St. Jude patients.
Money raised from the auction helps offset the costs of research and treatment for children admitted to St. Jude with cancer or other catastrophic illnesses. Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has helped increase the cure rate for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent to more than 70 percent.
In addition, St. Jude/ALSAC (St Jude's fundraising arm) covers all costs not covered by insurance for medical treatment rendered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Families without insurance are never asked to pay.
The players were ushered through the hospital halls, which were painted at children's eye level in cheerful themes like a park, jungle, and even a common room painted like an ocean, complete with large aquarium and a blue ceiling lit with twinkling "stars."
St. Jude event marketing representative Ashley Reding said the hospital is not just a research and treatment center for cancer and leukemia, but also for bone disorders, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia, and pediatric AIDS. The hospital also provides a learning center, which includes two Memphis City School teachers on staff, social services and pastoral care.
"We don't believe medicine is everything," Reding said, before showing the group the hospital chapel, which features a large stained glass mural of St. Jude surrounded by children from every country in the world. "We know there is a lot more to healing than just that."
The hospital also contains a blood donor center. Chemotherapy destroys platelets in the blood, which help it to clot. Without platelets, a child could bleed to death if they fall and scrape a knee. The hospital can be forced to pay up to $700 per bag of platelets if they buy it from an outside source.
"We have a slogan here: If you can't give green, give red (blood) or yellow (platelets)," said Kimberly Stevenson, blood donor recruiter at St. Jude. She said volunteers can donate every 48 hours if they wish, and the center tries to make it as enjoyable as possible, providing every donor with a TV, video player and headphones. There's even an e-chair for people who need to work online while donating or want to play a computer game.
Offensive/defensive lineman Mike Gibbs' favorite part of the visit was the interaction with the children at the beginning of the visit.
"I love children," Gibbs said. He said he could especially relate to the patients at St. Jude because he had a friend growing up who had cancer, and whose mother also passed away from cancer.
"They're going through a lot," Gibbs said. "They grow up fast. It's tough. They take that on themselves 100 percent, and I admire them for that."
· Who: Memphis Xplorers af2 team
· What: Xplorers game against the Birmingham Steeldogs followed by jersey auction, sponsored by Hollywood Casino to benefit patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
· When: Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m.
· Where: DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis
· For tickets: Call the Civic Center box office at 662-470-2131.
XPLORERS FOOTBALL CAMP
· Children ages six to 12 who love football will have an opportunity to learn from the pros when the Memphis Xplorers host a football clinic this Saturday, June 14th, beginning at 1 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center. Cost is $25 and participants in the camp will receive a ticket to that night's Xplorers game against the Birmingham Steeldogs at the DCC included in the camp registration fee. Campers will also receive a T-shirt and have a chance for autographs from the Xplorers team. For more information call the Xplorers office at (662) 280-3737.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 10, 2003
- Norfolk Nighthawks Game Notes - Norfolk Nighthawks
- Xplorers Visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Memphis Xplorers
- af2 Names Players of the Week - af2
- Turman Named af2 Offensive Player of the Week - Charleston Swamp Foxes
- Judge, Turman Earn Swamp Foxes Weekly Honors - Charleston Swamp Foxes
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.
