Having a family member fall ill to cancer is not only heartbreaking, but is also financially burdening during such a hard time.
Just ask Oakland University women’s soccer head coach Nick O'Shea. He’s been there. O’Shea’s sister passed away from leukemia when she was only six years old.
“My parents flew around the country and even ended up in France, trying to come up with a miracle,” he said. “It was financially draining.”
He also recalls a random act of kindness bestowed upon his family during their time of hardship.
“My sister fell ill around Christmas time and somebody went out and bought a bunch of presents for our family and placed them at our front door,” O’Shea said. “That helped us in a big way at a bad time.”
Which is why O’Shea is eager reach out and offer the same kindness given to his family by helping out a family of a cross town rival during their time of need.
Associate head coach Tammy Farnum of the Michigan State University women’s soccer program has a daughter, Adalin, who is the same age as O’Shea’s sister when she passed away. And like his sister, Adalin is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
“My sister’s fight with cancer not only affected me as a kid, but I also I watched my parents go through it, so I know what the Farnum family is going through,” O’Shea said. “They’re trying to do everything they can to help her and it’s costing them a lot of money. So, hopefully we can do something for Tammy and her family.”
Normally, Oakland University women’s soccer games are free of charge to fans. But on Friday, Aug. 22, fans will be asked to contribute an optional donation when the Golden Grizzlies open the season against Michigan State. All proceeds donated will benefit the Farnum family and their fight to curb their daughter’s cancer.
The game is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. start time at the Lower Fields. For more information, visit the OU Athletics Web site.