FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2013
Courtesy of Saint Rose Athletics Communications
ALBANY, N.Y. – The College of Saint Rose women's basketball team welcomed two new members through Team IMPACT when Esther and Elijah Patterson were officially drafted this past Friday as part of a "signing party" on campus.
The team welcomed Esther and Elijah by having them each sign letters of intent to become Golden Knights. The signings were followed by a presentation of Saint Rose gear and personal lockers, pizza, a "Dora the Explorer" cake, and a surprise appearance from "Dora the Explorer" herself. Dora, provided by Cindy Werner of Zing a Gram, Inc., contributed song and music for those in attendance as well as signed cards for Esther and Elijah.
Esther, a six-year-old from Albany, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in September of 2012 and has since been treated at nearby Albany Medical Center. Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue tumor found in children, is a cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones. Her brother, eight-year old Elijah, has been a strong supporter through her difficult journey.
"As you can imagine, we are honored and privileged to have the blessing of this addition to our basketball family," said head coachKaren Haag. "Esther and Elijah have already made their marks on us. We are so excited to spend more time with them."
Team IMPACT is a Boston-based 501(c)3 non-profit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, Team IMPACT creates unparalleled team based support systems for these children and their families. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto local college athletic teams and become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond.
To learn more about Team IMPACT please visit www.goteamimpact.org.