 John and Debra Forshee cheer for the Hesston College women's volleyball team during a match Friday evening, September 21. |
September 27, 2007
A total of $715 was raised for a breast cancer fundraiser honoring a family of the Hesston College volleyball team during the Larks’ eight-team volleyball invitational Friday and Saturday, September 21-22. The funds came from a portion of gate proceeds during the four games played Sept. 21, plus donations received during the two-day event. A check will be presented to a representative of the Wichita chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure during the Larks home game Saturday, October 20.
The foundation is dedicated to education and research about causes of breast cancer, treatment, and the search for a cure. Representatives from the Wichita chapter handed out information during the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. games Friday, Sept. 21.
The idea of a fundraiser originated with sophomore sisters and twins Jocelyn and Jessica Forshee, Concordia, Kan., whose mother Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer August 21. Jocelyn plays middle blocker on the volleyball team; Jessica is a member of the basketball team.
“Fortunately, our mother’s breast cancer is in an early stage,” Jocelyn said about 10 days before the fundraiser. “It made us think of other women who get breast cancer who aren’t as fortunate to be able to pay for mammograms to find or prevent it, or cannot afford treatment.”
“Our main goal,” Jessica said, “is to encourage younger girls to start getting mammograms early, so they’re lucky like our mother to catch it early. We also want to give back to the people who work with breast cancer patients. And we want to let breast cancer patients know that other people are there for them and are praying for them.”
In an interview during Friday’s 2 p.m. opening game of the volleyball invitational, Debra Forshee said her prognosis is “very good, since it’s in Stage 0. I’m very lucky,” she said. After a double mastectomy, the cancer was contained. “That means no radiation or chemotherapy,” she said. “I’m very thankful.”
 The Forshee family (left to right): Jessica, Jonelle, Jocelyn, Debra, and John Forshee. |
“My husband John and I showed up at the game,” Debra Forshee went on, “and all the Hesston volleyball players had ribbons in their hair and shoelaces. It was pretty overwhelming to see that much support from them. I was very touched.
“I’m proud of the Hesston volleyball players, who picked this fundraiser as their project for the year,” Debra Forshee. She learned more details when the twins admitted to her that they had to return to campus earlier than usual Sunday, Sept. 16, so the team could work on posters at the home of volleyball coach Vanessa Schroeder.
“I don’t want to be the main event,” Debra Forshee emphasized. “There are a lot of other women who go through breast cancer or will. I was lucky that we caught it early. If my story can help someone else catch it early, I’m glad I was a catalyst.
“The (Hesston) volleyball girls are now aware of breast cancer, and are making others aware,” she said. “At their age, they think it will never happen to them.
“I didn’t expect it,” said Debra Forshee, who will be 46 in November. “There’s no cancer in my family. The big key is to catch it early.
“Our girls, my husband John, and our extended family have been a huge support,” she said. “And I certainly wouldn’t be able to get through it without my faith in God.” The Forshees have a third daughter, Jonelle, who is a senior at the University of Kansas.
Debra Forshee said she likes the quote Jocelyn sent her by e-mail, “God doesn’t bring you to it unless he’s going to bring you through it.”
Hesston College Volleyball