Saturday's GOALD Game brings New Mexico State to town for the final nonleague game of the season, but for Hailee Fischer and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, the game holds a deeper meaning.
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"About a year and a half ago, my younger cousin, Ian, was diagnosed with a really rare upper perivascular epithelioid cell cancer. He was the only pediatric case in the United States at the age of 12, and he passed away right after he turned 13," Fischer said.
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The Fischer and Custodio (Ian's surname) families were dealt a blow with the loss of Ian, but Hailee specifically missed the moments she'd spent with her younger cousin, specifically on a trip to the East Coast, where the two bonded."
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"(He) and I shared a really good relationship," Fischer said. "We loved playing soccer or soccer tennis together. Ian was a loving, awesome kid who I will remember forever. I'm reminded every day to be grateful for the opportunities I have, and I try to live for him."
Hailee Fischer and her cousin, Ian.
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After watching Ian battle courageously, Fischer felt the urge to do something.
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Jackrabbit soccer had previously hosted a PINK game annually, but with childhood cancer hitting so close to home, Fischer brought the idea of moving towards a GOALD game to head coach Brock Thompson.
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"Hailee brought the idea to us after the 2018 season, and the GOALD Game idea was a great fit for us because it was in September, and gold is the color for childhood cancer," Thompson said. "It's a great fit for our program for those reasons, and it provides us the opportunity to host a different event than many programs around the region."
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Fischer took the approval and hit the ground running, connecting with Megan Kjose from Sanford Health to plan the game.
While Kjose handled the fundraising setup online and commitment of an honorary captain, Fischer connected with individuals in the Brookings community to ramp up the festivities.
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"We reached out to the National Guard in Brookings for pregame inflatables, worked with SDSU Athletics to order t-shirts, sign individuals up for the 'Pie in the Face' contest and run through social media promotion, and my mom was able to work with the Brookings Futbol Club to set up a pregame tailgate with a free-will donation." Fischer said.
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South Dakota State women's soccer stopped
by Sanford Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls
Thursday, visiting patients before Saturday's
GOALD Game.Â
Additionally, Fischer and Kjose lined up a visit to the Sanford Children's Hospital on the week of the game for a group of Jackrabbit soccer student-athletes.
The work has paid off, as the GOALD Game is set to kick at noon Saturday with high expectations, thanks to Fischer's efforts.
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"Hailee has been unbelievable in the creation and execution of the GOALD Game," Thompson said. "Our program is proud to partner with Sanford Cure Kids Cancer! to help bring awareness and funds to finding a cure for childhood cancer."
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The Jackrabbits have already cleared the $2,000 mark in fundraising for the cause and will be selling $10 GOALD Game t-shirts at the game, with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
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Visit support.sanfordhealthfoundation.org to donate prior to the game and learn more.
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