Keystone And Clarion Area Join With Clarion Sunshine Project For Hoops For Hope Event
Above photo – Tracy Myers addressing the gathering as Keystone players, coaches and cheerleaders, and Clarion Area players and coaches form Ribbon
(Clarion Sunshine Project news release)
January 20, 2024 was the date of the 9th Annual Hoops 4 Hope Basketball event between Clarion Area and Keystone School Districts. This event was held at the Keystone Jr/Sr High School and involved the Junior High Boys Basketball team, the JV and Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams.
This is an annual event that is held as a benefit to support the Clarion Sunshine Project. The Clarion Sunshine Project, a 501c3 non profit foundation, was established back in 2015 when patients started seeing very large increases in their co-payments and out of pocket expenses for their healthcare. The board is comprised of volunteers and cancer survivors from our community that are passionate about helping people that have the misfortune of receiving a cancer diagnosis.
The event consists of not only supporting the 6 teams playing basketball, but also supporting those in our communities who have been affected by a life changing diagnosis of cancer. The lobby of the School is filled with many different ways people can financially contribute to the Clarion Sunshine Project. There was a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle (in which the winner generously donated the winnings back), a duck toss and food concessions (in which all proceeds were donated). The unofficial total collected that day was $6,269.
Also, the administration from the School District allowed all survivors to be admitted to the games free of charge.
Between the two varsity games the players, coaches and cheerleaders formed a “human ribbon” the entire length of the gymnasium floor. While the ribbon was being formed, the Select Choir, under the direction of Chris Long, performed a beautiful song chosen for this event.
After their song ended, spectators sitting in the stands who are currently battling cancer, and survivors, were invited to come down and take part in the human ribbon to visually show how the community is a big part of supporting these patients.
Tracy Myers spoke on behalf of one of the patients being treated at The BHS Cancer Center at Clarion Hospital. She shared that due to changes within the PA State Medical requirements, this patient lost her insurance and then had to seek out a commercial plan. Her new plan leaves her with out of pocket expenses of $7,500; meaning this patient is now responsible to pay that amount before her new insurance would start paying 100%. This became an enormous burden on her and her family. With the help of The Clarion Sunshine Project she is able to meet those expenses.
Tracy Myers also shared more information about this wonderful Non-Profit charity. “The board members take pride in covering our overhead expenses so that all money that is donated goes directly to help patients with the expenses that their insurance does not cover. The Clarion Sunshine Project has paid a total of $477,000.00 dollars on behalf of patients since 2015. Annual events like Hoops for Hope have played a huge role in sustaining our ability to help as many patients as possible. This organization would not be so successful without the hard work and generosity of the amazing people that call this community home” Myers shared.
She also shared how The Mrs. Claus Club of Knox, under the direction of Tiki Kahle, also supports the patients. They were present that day with literature to help and educate the public on the reasons for screening.
The organizers of Hoops 4 Hope are Mary Rearick, Jen Wingard and Laura Burford. “We look forward to this event every year and are so appreciative of all of the generous people who help to make this event successful. From the parents of the teams to the people who donate the wonderful baskets, we could not do this without you!” quoted by Mary Rearick.
In addition, anyone interested in learning more about The Clarion Sunshine Project can contact Tracy Myers at 814-226-3490 or if you are interested in making a donation the address is Clarion Sunshine Project PO BOX 303 Clarion PA 16214.
(Thank you to Mary and Tracy for this press release!!!! Great job to all involved in this fine endeavor!!!!!)
(A special Clarion Sports Zone thank you to Keystone freshman Adeline Patrick, who helped me throughout the games and ceremony, answering a number of questions that I had and clarifying things for me!!!!)