Metro-area athletes compete, raise money for pediatric cancer patients

LENEXA, Kan. — Some local athletes are on a mission to raise money for pediatric cancer patients.

The annual Lemon Out volleyball event at St. James Academy in Lenexa Thursday, will continue the school’s decade-long mission of raising money for pediatric cancer research.

The ongoing fundraising effort is close to passing $500,000 raised for Alex’s Lemonade Stand . The school hopes to pass that mark on Thursday night.

“In 2015, I looked around and said, this is far more common than we realize,” Nancy Dorsey, St. James longtime volleyball coach said on Wednesday.

Dorsey has led the Thunder to nine state volleyball championships. She says the school has lost several of its own over the years, and this philanthropy is a divine mission the school enjoys. The National Institute of Health says only four percent of all cancer research money is designated toward kids in need.

“I feel we’re called to make a difference. This is something we’ve been asked to do, and a cross we have bear, and instead of saying this is so sad or so tragic, let’s get up to do something,” Dorsey said.

Money raised from the Lemon Out goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a national non-profit with young cancer patients at heart.

Claire Steinlage, a senior at SJA, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2019. She said Alex’s Lemonade Stand helped pay for travel expenses while she was being treated at a hospital in Denver.

“I’m so grateful because I know, if not for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, there’s a lot of research that wouldn’t happen for all different kinds of childhood cancer. For me, it impacted me so directly,” Steinlage said.

Meanwhile, at Bishop Miege High School , sophomore Addie Verhulst is recovering from chemotherapy and surgeries. She said she’s humbled that this volleyball fundraiser that this volleyball fundraiser aims to help kids like her.

“It takes a strong group of people who are willing to help and aren’t bad for the community,” Verhulst said on Wednesday.

“You just trust in God that He will give you the right people to help.’

Doors will open Thursday at 5 p.m. at St. James Academy. Cancer survivors will receive special recognition during those festivities. Tickets will be available at the door.

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