MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois University volleyball team has announced a 'Rally for Shaymus Week' to span the week of October 10 during three different home matches. Fans can participate by attending the Fighting Leathernecks' contests with IPFW (Oct. 10), South Dakota State (Oct. 14) and North Dakota State (Oct. 15).
Rally for Shaymus Week is being held for the first time as a way to raise funds for 10-year-old Shaymus Guinn, the son of Western Illinois head women's soccer coach Tony Guinn. Shaymus recently entered the hospital to begin his second fight against cancer. After overcoming Ewing's sarcoma, Shaymus now must face A.L.L. leukemia.
Hosted by the Western Illinois volleyball program, the goal of Rally for Shaymus Week is to raise support and funds to help offset the expenses for the Guinn family. All of the proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Guinn family.
"We hope that throughout the whole Rally for Shaymus Week we can unite the athletics department and the whole campus to support Shaymus and the Guinn family," said Brooke Stittleburg, the event's organizer and a senior on the volleyball team. "We want to show Shaymus how many people in Macomb are supporting him."
Rally for Shaymus Week will consist of the volleyball team selling "Shaymus" emblems for $2 and "Stay Strong Shaymus" bracelets for $4 each. Fans can purchase and color the white emblem, which is a symbol of Shaymus' strength and courage. At the end of the week, all the colored and personalized emblems will be delivered to Shaymus. All donations (cash-only) are welcome.
The community and campus has come together in the past to show overwhelming support for Shaymus at events such as 'The Shaymus Relays'. The volleyball program hopes to have that support carry over to Rally for Shaymus Week. Anyone with questions about the event can contact Brooke Stittleburg via email at BA-Stittleburg@wiu.edu.
RALLY FOR SHAYMUS WEEK
Date: Monday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. (vs. IPFW) / Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. (vs. SDSU) / Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. (vs. NDSU)
Location: Western Hall (Oct. 10-IPFW match) and Brophy Hall (Oct. 14 & 15-SDSU & NDSU matches)
Cost: ALL funds (cash-only) raised by this event will go towards helping Shaymus Guinn and his family. $2 for a white "Shaymus" emblem (fans are encouraged to color the emblem. It will be delivered to Shaymus). $4 for a "Stay Strong Shaymus" bracelet. All donations (cash-only) are welcome.
Questions? Contact: Brooke Stittleburg (senior on volleyball team) via email at BA-Stittleburg@wiu.edu.
