Emotions flow as Salem students present gift cards for breast cancer patients
Salem football, pom and cheer members (and parents and coaches) pictured are Kristina Candito, Ryan Groh, Laurel Gulyas, Molly Scully, Bella Papazoglou, Elle Garrett, Hannah Gad, Betsy Burger, Allison Schafer, Greg Ladley, Luke Locke, Gabe Burger, Kyle Candito, Salem Head Coach Landon Garrett, Landon Garrett, Jack Garrett, Coleton Ladley and Bryson Berry. Trinity Health Cancer Center nurses pictured are Jennifer Mann, Ranee Adams, Jenna Dunbar, Tammy Ross, Stacey Coppock, Sheri Bobby, Danielle K. and Lynn Ciebeskind.
On Tuesday afternoon, a powerful, heartfelt presentation unfolded in the lobby of Canton’s Trinity Health Cancer Center, just a short screen pass away from the rooms where area cancer patients receive life-saving and life-extending radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Tears were shed when Trinity Health nurses received $3,750 worth of Meijer gift cards from pink-clad members of Salem High School’s football, pom and cheer squads.
The funds were raised mostly by the sales of Pink Out T-shirts and sweatshirts during the weeks leading up to the Salem football team’s Oct. 17 Pink Out game against Plymouth.
Members of the nursing staff present the $100 and $50 Meijer gift cards directly to breast cancer patients who are facing financial difficulties as the holidays approach.
‘It means so much to us’
“As nurses, we can see when patients are clearly struggling (financially),” one nurse said, moments after the moving presentation. “And we can give them one of these (she held up a batch of gift cards). When we do, they throw up their hands and say, ‘Oh my gosh, thank you so much!’ And it means so much to us.”
As the nurse spoke, she wiped away tears, a reflection of how deep the staff’s appreciation runs for the Salem student-athletes’ and their parents’ efforts.
“The patients purchase groceries, gas, diapers for their babies — life’s basic necessities,” the nurse explained.
(To check out a video of the emotions-packed presentation, click here.)
Jennifer Mann, a radiation therapist, explained how two years ago nurses presented a breast cancer patient whose son played for Salem in the 1990s with two Meijer gift cards presented by the Rocks’ football program.
“It meant so much to her that Salem was doing this and giving back to the community,” Mann said, her voice gripped by emotion. “This patient was in tears, she was so touched. So you guys are definitely making an impact and you’re making a difference.”
Keeping it local
Salem Football Pink Out Committee co-chairs Betsy Burger and Allison Schafer emphasized how they wanted the funds raised by the Pink Out campaign to benefit local breast cancer patients directly.
“The nurses are so wonderful here,” Burger said moments before the presentation. “You can tell they are so appreciative of what our program is doing.”
This year’s Pink Out fundraiser has hit close to home for the Rocks’ football family, which has been hit hard the past 12 months with multiple cancer diagnoses.
Among the football family’s members who are courageously battling cancer are Greg Ladley, the father of Salem player Colton Ladley, and Suzanne Lopez, the grandmother of Salem linebacker Kyle Candito.
Pride shines through
Gabe Burger, a junior on Salem’s 2025 squad, explained how two members of his family — his great grandmother and great aunt — have been diagnosed with cancer recently.
“Giving to others is so impactful,” Gabe Burger said. “I’m proud of Salem for helping such a great cause. I hope everybody fighting cancer knows they’re not fighting alone.”
Salem Head Coach Landon Garrett said he is touched every year when the gift cards are presented to the cancer center’s staff.
“Watching the joy on the faces of the nurses makes it all worth it,” Garrett said. “Our program is not just about football. It’s about life and making sure we take care of people.
“In high school football, we have to raise money all the time for various things. The Pink Out fundraiser is one thing when we seek donations, we don’t receive any pushback because everyone is just one person removed from someone who is battling cancer.”
Annual donations keep rising
A Salem tradition for the past six years, this year’s donation exceeded last year’s $3,000 donation by close to $800.
“I’d like to see the total doubled every year,” Garrett said. “Because lord knows the donations are needed.”
The football program was joined this year by members of Salem’s pom pon and cheerleading squads — a development that aided the rise in contributions.
Salem’s Student Congress also played a role helping sell T-shirts during home football games.
Rock players where pink accessories — receiver gloves, socks, athletic tape, wristbands, etc. — during the annual Pink Out game.
They are colorful and powerful symbols of the obligation they feel to give back to their community.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
