RENSSELAER, Ind. – The cancer/oncology department at Franciscan Health Rensselaer recently received a generous donation of $3,063 from the Rensselaer High School wrestling team. The funds will be distributed through the Franciscan Health Foundation.

The teams raised the funds through a combination of t-shirt sales, bake sales, game day donations, and business solicitations.

The team has had several parents of current wrestlers who are fighting or have fought cancer, including one of the wrestler’s mother who is currently undergoing cancer treatment at Franciscan Health Rensselaer and the team wanted to raise money to support her and increase awareness. In a truly selfless act, the wrestler’s mother requested that the funds not be given directly to her, but instead donated to Franciscan to help other patients in need.

“We are very thankful for the generosity of the Rensselaer High School wrestling team,”
said Carlos Vasquez, vice president and chief operating officer, Franciscan Health Rensselaer and Crawfordsville. “The funds they raised will be used to assist patients as they are undergoing cancer treatments at the hospital. We are very proud of the young men on the team and their dedication to their community, putting others first and helping those who are battling cancer.”

Ashley Webb, a Franciscan employee, who served as the athletic trainer for 20 years at Rensselaer High School and now teaches medical classes at the school, was instrumental in setting up the fundraiser.

“As a Franciscan employee and a wrestling mom, I couldn’t have been more proud to help these young men raise money to support our family, friends and neighbors who are fighting a much bigger battle than we ever face on the mat,” said Webb. “To watch these young men come together to demonstrate Christ’s love by giving back to our community which has shown our wrestlers so much support was truly an honor.”

With the success of this year’s efforts, the team is already planning next year’s fundraiser, striving to make it even “bigger and better.”

Learn more about the Franciscan Health Foundation and donate online.

Media Contact
Tony Veneziano
Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 317-528-7986
Email: Tony.Veneziano@FranciscanAlliance.org