BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University baseball team, in the midst of a league championship race, will be stepping up to the plate for a bigger cause this weekend when they host their ninth annual Striking Out Cancer on Tanner's Day game.
The game will take place on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. at Roddy Field on the campus of Bellevue East High School against Briar Cliff University. Despite that they'll be competing on the field, the Bruins and Chargers will be teaming up that day to honor the memory of former honorary Bruin Tanner Lusk and former honorary Charger Sharon Pitkin, to raise funds in the fight against childhood cancer.
Just minutes after balloons are released in memory of Tanner Lusk and Sharon Pitkin the first pitch will fly at 3 p.m. Admission is free, although free-will donations will be accepted and are encouraged.
Tanner, who suffered from Ewings Sarcoma, was adopted by the Bellevue Baseball program in 2006 and Tanner and the Bruins developed a special relationship that still last today despite Tanner's passing in September of 2007. Bellevue University plays Briar Cliff University each year in support of not only Tanner, but the memory of Sharon Pitkin who died in 2006 after 10 years of cancer survival. Sharon was the mother of Briar Cliff Head Coach Boyd Pitkin.
All proceeds from Sunday's game will be donated in the fight against cancer in Tanner's name. Since 2007 the Bruin and Charger baseball teams have teamed up with Tanner's Termites to raise nearly $250,000 through CureSearch in Tanner's name.
The Bellevue University and Briar Cliff University baseball programs thank you for your support and hopes that all who are able to attend do so.
Tanner's Story:
On May 19, 2003 Tanner Christian Lusk was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma. After treatment and several months of remission, she had a relapse in November 2004. At that time, her doctors in California informed her family that they would not complete the procedures she needed, due to possible complications, and gave her five months to live. Soon after, through an online support group, the Lusk family met another child fighting Ewings Sarcoma, Jake Beresh of Omaha. Within days, her family found doctors here in Omaha at Children's Hospital and the University of Nebraska Medical Center that would explore other options. Tanner's parents, without hesitation, relocated to Omaha while leaving behind their business, family, and friends in California, to give their daughter another chance at life.
Tanner underwent several procedures that were successful for a short time. In April 2006, the Bellevue University baseball program adopted Tanner and her family after seeing her story on the news. She loved baseball and we loved her. Between treatments, Tanner and her family attended practices and games on many occasions and in the fall of 2006, the entire Bruin baseball team attended her birthday party. From the time they moved to Omaha, she was with us for nearly three more years.
Tanner died September 19, 2007. One year after her passing our players along with her friends and family took part in a balloon release – she was an emotional inspiration to us all. Our current players now wear the TCL #1 cancer ribbon on the front of their jerseys in place of their number as a reminder of the special place she held in many former players' and coaches' hearts. We have retired the #1 jersey for Tanner and each year we dedicate a game to her. This game is called Tanner's Day.
Joint Statement from Bellevue and Briar Cliff Baseball:
Bellevue University and Briar Cliff University play a game each year in support of not only Tanner, but the memory of Sharon Pitkin who died in 2006 after 10 years of cancer survival. Sharon was the mother of Briar Cliff Head Coach Boyd Pitkin. Bellevue University and Briar Cliff University are proud to support CureSearch for Children's Cancer Research. We thank you for your unwavering kindness and generosity.
