Northville's Girls Varsity Soccer Alumni to Host Game In Support of St. Jude Children's Hospital

- Submitted by Eric Brucker, Northville High School varsity girls soccer coach

On April 15, 2007, Jacob Reith, age 6 and Northville School District resident, was diagnosed with a brain tumor which led to emergency surgery. Pathology later revealed that the tumor, a pineoblastoma, was malignant and further treatment would be necessary in order for Jacob to survive. Research, consultation and soul searching led Jacob and his family to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. St. Jude specializes in the research and treatment of children with catastrophic illnesses and has an entire team devoted to children with brain tumors. In May 2007, Jacob began treatment at St. Jude, undergoing 6 weeks of radiation treatment followed by 3 rounds of high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue, spaced apart at one month intervals. During treatment, Jacob and his mother lived in housing provided by St. Jude, attended school with St. Jude teachers and was followed by a host of specialists all with the single goal of providing the best treatment for Jacob (and his fellow patients). Jacob and his mother returned home in November 2007 and Jacob has returned to St. Jude for bi-annual evaluations thereafter. Today, some five years later, Jacob is a happy cancer free fifth grader at Thornton Creek Elementary School. Jacob and his family are grateful for the care and treatment provided by St. Jude.  

The Northville girls soccer team will be hosting the 2nd annual alumni soccer game on Saturday, June 23rd at 3 p.m. (alumni vs. alumni). The game will be played at Northville High School. Any former varsity alumni players are eligible to play. Players are asked to donate $20 to participate. A portion of the money will go to pay for the T-shirt jerseys, the balance of the money goes to St. Jude's Children Hospital on behalf of Jacob Reith.

If you are unable to attend, you can still donate to the cause. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend. You can find information on the event on Facebook. (http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/335072116545144/). If you are interested, please contact Pam Brucker via the Facebook event page or at pcbrucker@yahoo.com. Last year's event drew nearly 30 former players and we are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. There is still time to sign-up but time is getting short. We will order some extra shirts for late additions. We are asking that spectators, friends, and family provide a donation for the cause as they enter the gate.

The game will be played at the high school soccer field (45700 Six Mile Rd. Northville, MI 48168) 3 p.m. There will be a post game gathering at Buckminister's Pub, 102 East Main Street  for friends, family and players. This year we will also have a raffle of donated goods from Northville area businesses to support the cause. Items include Gift Baskets, Gift Cards, Free Passes, Bread, Sweatshirts, bike helmets, and the like. Area donators include:        

• Dancing Eye Gallery        
• Sizzling Sticks        
• Stamp Peddler        
• Gennetti's        
• Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics        
• Town & Country Bikes        
• Planet Fitness        
• Brick's of Northville
• Northville Swim Club        
• Baby Baby        
• The Stitching Post        
• Custard Time        
• Pizza Cutter        
• Great Harvest        
• Top Cat Sports Apparel        
• D&D Cycles