Why We Bid

• It is my honor to give back to the organization that helped my daughter when she was going through breast cancer treatment at the Cancer Center. As a mother, hearing not one but two daughters say, "Mom, I have breast cancer". Although I felt helpless, it was comforting to know that the staff at the Cancer Center offered help and hope to a young, single mother as she dealt with the diagnosis and treatment of this horrid disease. Every staff member treated her with respect, compassion and dignity as well as answering her concerns about financial needs.-Paula

• I bid for a jersey in honor of my mom, Michelle Roberts, who passed away 2 years ago. She was initially diagnosed in 2013 with stage 3 Ovarian cancer and was given a 30% chance of surviving 5 years, but she surpassed that statistic. My mom was an incredibly strong woman that fought relentlessly, going through chemo, radiation, and 2 major surgeries. My mom spent her life giving everything she had to those she loved, so I bid on this jersey to remember and honor her. -Olivia

• We ordered this jersey as my wife, Tricia, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in August 2023. It was our son Aidan’s first year playing at SIU so it hit home for us. We didn’t know how to bid the first year, the second year we missed the phone call and couldn’t get his number. We will be framing this jersey. -Mike

• It is a honor to take part in this program. I bid for families who connect through the Blackout event, the Saluki families who support their players, and my own SIH family who assist those receiving care with a big and open heart. In loving memory of my own grandmother, who guides me through this day with her pennies from heaven.-Amanda

• I met Derek (#68) at SEMO, felt a strong connection to him after a brief conversation. My sister said you know you can bid on his jersey for the Blackout cancer game, so that is what I started doing. In the meanwhile, I saw an article that Strong Dawgs did on Derek and his career at SIU. The connection was a God thing, my husband and I were married and seven days later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor just like Derek’s father. David’s father was a very important part of his life and his family also. David passed 4 years after our marriage he loved the game of football and he raced modified midgets. I won the bid on the jersey and I will display it proudly and I feel I strong bond with Derek and his family. He is a wonderful young man, his father would be so proud of. -Bonnie

• My mom died from cervical cancer at the age of 41. It was 27 years ago, and now her widower (my stepdad) has very recently found out that he has lung cancer. I've always used their last name in honor of her, but now it holds even more significant meaning. -Kathy

• Twenty-five years ago, June 21, 2000, was a day that will ALWAYS be with me and my 2 sons, that is when I lost my soul mate and the boys lost their dad, George, age 40, who passed from cancer. He had rhabdomyosarcoma, which originated from a neurofibroma behind his knee, which later spread to his chest and brain. Cancer research has come a long way since those 25 years ago. When I started at SIH is when I began giving to the SIH Cancer Institute. George was the reason for my bid to Salukis Blackout Cancer. -Sue

• Cancer has impacted so many around us. However, last year we bid on the jersey for our friend Mike, who was an SIU grad. He was diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma. Sadly, Mike passed just a few days ago and won’t make it to see this years game or see his jersey. We are honored to be able to recognize Mike and his life of faith dedicated to serving others and his family. We pray for peace and healing for his family, his wife, and his 4 amazing kids. - Jason

• MikeStrong. Mike E passed away last week. He fought hard and left a tremendous legacy. SIU grad and STL friend. He lived and loved. We lost a good one but his faith in Jesus is something we will never forget! -Joanne

• The Coach Jerry Kill Cancer [Fund] does so much for cancer [patients] and their families in Southern Illinois, I had to be a part of helping in any way possible. I have participated these last 3 years, not just to remember loved ones in my family who have been stricken by cancer, but also to support helping Southern Illinois families dealing with these issues. Thank you, SIU football, for such a great funding drive and let's all continue to fight cancer and support however we can. -Denny

• I bid because the Coach Kill Fund plays such a pivotal role in or patients' cancer journey and I wanted to donate - also to celebrate my 35th anniversary cancer free. We are very fortunate to have the Cancer Institute in our community. -Susie

• We are honoring a young man, Ian Hartman. He was our close friend's son and a classmate and teammate to our son, Chris. Ian Hartman had a mixed germ cell teratoma malignant brain cancer at age 5 that destroyed 4 of the 11 centers within the Pituitary Gland. After 16-hr surgery, 6 months of Chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments to the brain, Ian conquered cancer, and he was the first case for his cancer treatment regimen. He allowed 40-nuero oncology surgeons across the globe to study his condition. Medical Society wrote 2 medical advancement papers on his treatment path, which advance medicine delivered to others today. Through the 13 years of post-treatment struggles, Ian saw the best side of humanity. He learned that your path is determined, but you get to choose how you show up every day. We all make a difference in the lives of others through our choices and actions. Sadly, Ian unexpectedly passed away July 20,2024 from natural circumstances that were attributed from medical treatment. We want to honor the amazing kid that Ian was every single day!!

• I wanted to honor the memory of my son, Bradford James Turner, and my husband, Victor Lynn Turner. My husband and I were/are supporters of SIU athletics. This year's football [team] is an amazing group of young men (both on and off the field) and I am so excited to support their effort in raising funds for the Coach Kill Cancer Fund. My son was not a cancer survivor but a PTSD suicide on our wedding anniversary 02/15/2022 while we were in Florida. My husband of 48 years spent 20+ years of that time surviving a rare form of sarcoma only to deal not only with sarcoma but also non-healing MRSA the last four years of his life. I believe that he longer had the will to live and passed away in Florida the following year on 02/24/2023. We were on vacation with our children, grandchildren and great-grandson so he was surrounded by the love of his family when we had to remove him from life support. We had spent 20+ years at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis and also MD Anderson in Texas. We had the support of multiple physicians and treatments throughout his journey with cancer. We cannot talk enough about the support we received from multiple agencies during Vic's struggle with sarcoma and MRSA. It is a duty to support the Coach Kill Cancer Fund so that the people of Southern Illinois may continue to receive the benefits from this wonderful program. I am looking forward with pride to accept my jersey from Cameron Dye #60. He is one of the remarkable members that makes up this fantastic team this year!! Go DAWGS!! -Marsha Kay

• Jersey 73 was purchased to honor class of ‘73 SIU alum Pat Brown who beat Breast Cancer.

• Few people have had the decades of impact directly to the athletes at SIU that Sharon Lipe had. Along with her husband Roger, they both have served the SIU community for years making a lasting impact on their athletic careers and their most important personal lives. Unfortunately, Sharons years of service were cut short by this awful disease. Looking on the sidelines and the field and seeing Sharon's name is a testament to the actual truth of her long lasting impact. Today we celebrate Sharon -Todd

• Today, we pause to honor the strength, courage, and compassion that shine through each cancer journey. To every patient, including those we personally know, your resilience inspires hope. You face each day with bravery that lights the way for others.To the caregivers, your love, patience, and quiet sacrifices are the heartbeats of healing. You are the unsung heroes who lift spirits, hold hands, and never stop believing. WE STAND WITH YOU, WE CELEBRTE YOU. WE THANK YOU! -Riley