UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa./ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Penn State baseball head coach Rob Cooper has been named one of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's inaugural Baseball Vs. Cancer Ambassadors. Comprised of current and former coaches, players and members of the press, Baseball Vs. Cancer Ambassadors represent the athletic community's shared resolve to raise awareness and funds for a world without childhood brain tumors.
Since Cooper arrived at Penn State for the 2014 season, Penn State baseball has supported Vs. Cancer by raising nearly $50,000 to date and hosting annual Vs. Cancer and THON games that have welcomed THON families and featured team members shaving their heads postgame. The efforts have helped raise support for Penn State Children's Hospital's Four Diamonds and its mission to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research.
The Penn State baseball team has already started its 2020 campaign and has raised $6,390 through the end of November, ranking second nationally only to Texas A&M ($16,517). Fans can support the Nittany Lions' drive by visiting https://team.curethekids.org/pennstatebaseball2020.
"I am honored and humbled to be a Vs. Cancer Ambassador," said Cooper. "This great organization is committed to helping kids fight cancer. I look forward to helping in any way possible!"
Since 2013, Vs. Cancer has empowered thousands of athletes to help kids with cancer. As a signature fundraising campaign of the PBTF, Vs. Cancer proceeds help fund groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors, the deadliest childhood cancer, as well as family support and child life programs in teams' communities.
Vs. Cancer Ambassadors recognize firsthand the importance of supporting the childhood cancer community and the positive impact it has on their team. They will serve as a resource for other coaches and teams by answering questions about the program, sharing their inspiring success stories and working with athletic departments to spread Vs. Cancer's mission and get more teams involved.
"The quality of coaching in our inaugural Vs. Cancer Ambassadors class is outstanding, but the quality of character is even greater," says Vs. Cancer Director Rachel Mark. "In the battle against pediatric brain tumors, finding a cure is no small task – but with the continued efforts of this group, we'll be able to support more children and families by increasing Vs. Cancer's presence throughout collegiate baseball and athletics."
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Vs. Cancer Ambassadors program will expand in 2020 to include members from the lacrosse, softball, soccer and other athletic communities. Learn more at www.vs-cancer.org/vs-cancer-ambassadors or email info@vs-cancer.org.
