Successful 2nd quarter for “Sydenham Tackles Cancer”

Sep 23, 2010

Photo: Matt Rennie, Steph Stewart and Karl Hammer, organizers of the 2nd annual “Sydenham Tackles Cancer”

Three close friends came together once again to remember and celebrate the lives of Mike Woodcox and Andy Green, former Sydenham High School graduates and running backs for the Sydenham Golden Eagles, who both passed away from cancer.

Karl Hammer, Steph Stewart and Matt Rennie joined forces again this year and organized the second annual fundraiser for the Mike and Andy Fund, whose donations are put towards the Regional Cancer Centre in Kingston. The funds will be donated through the University Hospital Kingston Foundation, which will match donations 9-1 through a special government initiative. Last year the event raised $4,000, which multiplied to $40,000. Karl Hammer felt pretty confident that this year, with the help of the initiative, another $50,000 would be a realistic target.

Matt Rennie was thrilled with the turn out again this year and said, “The feedback has been overwhelming and the event has been spreading largely by word of mouth. That gave us the idea to sell tickets in advance, which has worked out really well.” Prior to the doors opening on Friday night, 100 advance tickets had already been sold.

The friends remember the two young men as having similar personalities. Both were “intelligent guys and great football players, who in no way showed off. They were not particularly outspoken but that being said, when they did speak, people listened.”

Karl Hammer feels that holding the event at the school and having the school support is key since a lot of the supporters feel a special tie to the two men through the school and their involvement in Sydenham football.

Relatives and friends of both families were in attendance this year and both families continue to support and appreciate the event, which included live music by local bands Bauder Road and Still Standing, a midnight pizza snack from Papa Pete's in Harrowsmith and a free shuttle bus service provided by Watson Bus Lines.

Karl and Matt are still totaling up the numbers from Friday’s event. Anyone who missed the event can still make a donation until Friday, September 24 by calling Karl Hammer at Sydenham High School at 613-376-3612.