‘Cram the Stands’ cancer fundraiser, Hosted by Sunset High School

On Friday night, Sunset High School held its 18th edition of the ‘Cram the Stands’ basketball fundraiser to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer.

“It’s amazing to be a part of, the entire stands are full of students with the ‘Cram the Stands’ shirt on, amazing to see how much money we can raise and what our community can do,” said Chase Hoxie, a senior student organizer.

Starting in 2005, the charity event hoped to contribute $40,000 to the local Doernbecher Children’s Hospital through ticket and t-shirt sales along with raffles and donations.

“Just trying to build on that momentum every year, trying to set a new record in terms of what we can donate,” said Travis Rooke-Ley, a teacher and organizer. “Every year it grows and grows because we find new avenues, new momentum throughout the community.”

This year’s girls’ and boys’ hoops doubleheader games against Westview honored nine-year-old, Marco, and Sunset freshman student, Varun Varma, both are this year’s ambassadors and are fighting a bone cancer called Ewing Sarcoma.

“It’s really nice, I’m happy a lot of people care for me,” said Varma. “I’m really excited to raise money and awareness for those battling cancer because it really is a terrible thing.”

On this night, it was a true win-win atmosphere, using sports and philanthropy to drive the need for research home.

“This is about more than just basketball, but it’s great to have everyone here, cheering and supporting everyone,” said Hoxie.

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