Loveland, Ohio – Nine different teams were formed at Loveland High School in an effort to defeat childhood cancer: Cancer Dancers, Fighting Tigers, Full Send, Kickout Cancer, King Julian, Taffy’s Tots, The Raisas’, Tigers Against Cancer, and Tigers for the Fight.
More than 650 Tri-State high school students and sponsors joined forces to raise $232,000 as part of CancerFree KIDS’ ninth annual Night for the Fight fundraising effort. This year’s event transformed into a virtual, one-week competition between March 6 – 13 to accommodate social distancing and other COVID-19 safety precautions. Organizers say this year’s event was a “rousing” success.
“Our students came through for us once again, and we are astounded by their creativity and commitment to childhood cancer research, even when the current pandemic climate forced a big change,” says Jill Brinck, executive director, CancerFree KIDS. “We so appreciate the strong fundraising results, but the bigger win here is hundreds of kids and their collective effort to beat childhood cancer.”
Averee Martin was the highest fundraiser for Loveland, raising $1,025.
Chloe Etter, Ella Nagel, Rachel Yeager, Jenna Batsch, Tess Broermann, Babs Dwyer, Sarah Lolli, Sarah, McKenzie, Audrey Neltner, Lauren Poteet, Presley Beller, Mikayla Loomis, Maggie Norris, Emma Thomson, Brooke Richardson, Savannah Rudy, Grace Trombly, Melanie Anastasia, Sky Boyko, Lily Schroeder, Megan Varadachari, Paige Broermann, Ella Madson, Meghan Smith, Elly Steinbrunner, and Alexa Vallee all raised money.
Traditionally, Night for the Fight is a 12-hour overnight event in which students learn about childhood cancer and take part in games and entertainment throughout the celebration. The 2021 “N4TF Fight Week” evolved into a virtual challenge in which student teams from 37 local high schools competed in scavenger hunt-style challenges by using a special mobile platform to submit photos and videos of their achievements. The 250 challenges ranged from mission-oriented to wacky activities that intend to help encourage children currently battling cancer.
Clermont County-based TQL Foundation served as presenting sponsor of N4TF: Fight Week for a third year in a row. “Research is a critical component of fighting pediatric cancer, and CancerFree KIDS is leading the charge in that effort,” says Kerry Byrne, president, Total Quality Logistics. “We’re honored to support an effort that strongly aligns with our values and allows students to work toward a common goal.”
Since its inception in 2013, Night for the Fight has raised more than $1.7 million for childhood cancer research. CancerFree KIDS is a Cincinnati-based non-profit organization that is committed to eradicating cancer as a life-threatening disease. Founded in 2002, the organization has funded more than $6 million in grants for promising research that would otherwise go unfunded. For more information about CancerFree KIDS, visit www.cancerfreekids.org.
Here are some photos of the Loveland teens provided by Night for the Fight:
