MONROE - With her best friend's father battling colorectal cancer for the third time, Monroe freshman Madison Katzenberger wasn't going to just stand by without lending a hand.
Katzenberger spearheaded a pink-out fundraiser for fellow freshman Erica Meier's father, Toby Meier, who is battling Stage IV colorectal cancer. Under Katzenberger's leadership, the Monroe volleyball program raised $2,000 through the sale of long sleeve shirts with the saying, "We're Setting Up to Spike Down Cancer" and the sale of pink, cut-out volleyballs they hung up outside the gym. The volleyball program donated the money to the Meier family Tuesday at a match against Evansville.
"I have always known Toby has battled cancer," said Katzenberger, who made ribbons and hair ties with pink that included motorcycles on them. "When I found out that he had cancer for the third time, I was like, we have to do a fundraiser to help out with the family's expenses traveling to Madison. It makes me feel great inside. I'm kind of speechless. I didn't think it would be this successful. It's just so spectacular."
Toby Meier was first diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He was a cancer survivor in remission in 2011. Now, about three years later, he is battling the colorectal cancer again. Meier is surprised by the support from the community and Monroe High School.
"It's overwhelming," Meier said. "It's unbelievable how the community has come together for our family."
He went in for a screening in July and a tumor was detected on his lung. He was set to go in for surgery to remove the tumor in his upper lung, but Meier said it was too big and close to his heart. He's undergoing chemotherapy once a week every other week in Madison.
"It was kind of like a kick in the teeth," Meier said of being informed the cancer had returned. "It's one of those things where I just roll with the punches. Life is good. They want to shrink it before I go back in for surgery."
Katzenberger has seen the toll her father's cancer fight has taken on Erica.
"I think it's tough for her," Katzenberger said. "She has always wanted her dad to walk her down the aisle and see all of her achievements."
Meier's wife, Tracy Meier, addressed the fans at the Monroe volleyball match after the National Anthem.
"Everyone on the volleyball team has been such a blessing," she said. "Cancer doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter how old or young you are. Having events like this build awareness for the need for a cure."
Katzenberger spearheaded a pink-out fundraiser for fellow freshman Erica Meier's father, Toby Meier, who is battling Stage IV colorectal cancer. Under Katzenberger's leadership, the Monroe volleyball program raised $2,000 through the sale of long sleeve shirts with the saying, "We're Setting Up to Spike Down Cancer" and the sale of pink, cut-out volleyballs they hung up outside the gym. The volleyball program donated the money to the Meier family Tuesday at a match against Evansville.
"I have always known Toby has battled cancer," said Katzenberger, who made ribbons and hair ties with pink that included motorcycles on them. "When I found out that he had cancer for the third time, I was like, we have to do a fundraiser to help out with the family's expenses traveling to Madison. It makes me feel great inside. I'm kind of speechless. I didn't think it would be this successful. It's just so spectacular."
Toby Meier was first diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He was a cancer survivor in remission in 2011. Now, about three years later, he is battling the colorectal cancer again. Meier is surprised by the support from the community and Monroe High School.
"It's overwhelming," Meier said. "It's unbelievable how the community has come together for our family."
He went in for a screening in July and a tumor was detected on his lung. He was set to go in for surgery to remove the tumor in his upper lung, but Meier said it was too big and close to his heart. He's undergoing chemotherapy once a week every other week in Madison.
"It was kind of like a kick in the teeth," Meier said of being informed the cancer had returned. "It's one of those things where I just roll with the punches. Life is good. They want to shrink it before I go back in for surgery."
Katzenberger has seen the toll her father's cancer fight has taken on Erica.
"I think it's tough for her," Katzenberger said. "She has always wanted her dad to walk her down the aisle and see all of her achievements."
Meier's wife, Tracy Meier, addressed the fans at the Monroe volleyball match after the National Anthem.
"Everyone on the volleyball team has been such a blessing," she said. "Cancer doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter how old or young you are. Having events like this build awareness for the need for a cure."
