University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Athletics Hosts Third-Annual HopeDay
9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota coaches, student-athletes and administration hosted the third-annual HopeDay Festival, Sunday at the Bierman Track from noon to 4 p.m. Over 200 families from the HopeKids organization were present along with over 500 student-athletes from Minnesota.
The festival included sporting clinics from all 25 Gopher sports and student-athletes, including a dunk tank by the swim teams and obstacle course with the men's and women's track and field teams. Along with student-athletes participating in events, pony rides, a petting zoo, a rock-climbing wall and face painters are just some of the other activities that will also be available. In conjunction with the opening of the TCF Bank Stadium the previous day (Gopher football win over Air Force on Sept. 12) members of the HopeKids organization played catch on the TCF Bank Stadium field with members of the football team.
HopeKids is an organization which gives hope to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their families, via a program of ongoing, highly anticipated events with the message that hope is a powerful medicine. Founded in September 2001 by Robert R. Cottrell in Phoenix, Ariz., it has recently branched out to chapters in Minneapolis/St. Paul in November of 2006 and Salt Lake City, Utah in September of 2008. The Phoenix chapter serves more than 500 HopeKids and their families, while the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter serves in excess of 550 HopeKids and their families. Salt Lake City, in less than a year, has grown to serve 175 families. A large percentage of the children in the program have already had their one large wish from one of the various wish granting organizations, but their battle continues. A large percentage of HopeKids have cancer, however, the program also serves children with any life-threatening illnesses such as kidney disease, heart disease, sickle cell, mitochondrial and cystic fibrosis. HopeKids is for children between the ages of 0 to 18. For more information visit www.hopekids.org.
