Jasper Vikings Raise Money for American Cancer Society in Honor of Teammate’s Sister
Words by Jenny Lynn Davis
The Jasper Vikings football team is participating in The Crucial Catch, a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Football League (NFL), to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program. This program promotes health equity and addresses cancer early detection disparities through community-based cancer prevention programs that increase access to necessary cancer screenings.
The cause hits especially close to home for the Vikings, as senior quarterback Spencer Rosenfeld lost his sister Natalie to leukemia in 2017.
"We lived in the hospital with Natalie for nine months, and Spencer saw the scary, ugly side of being a family living through a cancer diagnosis. At one point, ACS paid our power bill for us, and that was eye-opening for him. He saw that the money ACS raises actually goes to the families in need," says Spencer's mom Zoshia Rosenfeld. "When she passed, he almost quit sports, but ultimately he decided to carry on in his sister's honor. He has wanted to use his platform as an athlete to honor Natalie and those in similar situations. The Crucial Catch is a fantastic opportunity for that."
The team has rallied together in support of the cause and in support of their teammate, raising money as part of the southern high school division of The Crucial Catch in honor of Natalie. Jasper is currently ranked as the top fundraiser in their division.
In addition to online fundraising, in-person donations will be collected this Friday night as the Vikes take on Wenonah High at Ki-Ro Gambrell Field in Jasper. The game has been designated Cancer Awareness Night and the team will honor the lives lost to cancer, celebrate survivors, and support the caregivers who selflessly help others. 78
To donate to The Jasper Vikings' Crucial Catch campaign, please visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=team&fr_id=103383&team_id=2643690&fbclid=IwAR2FRtvhs5FUlPze7E3dccjqRpJfUlXWXqRhqIf7CYvHok3-XHtW7c45rwk.