RENO, Nev. (KOLO) — The McQueen High School gym was packed Friday night for a hardwood showdown.
McQueen and Reno High Schools teachers and staff faced each other to raise money for Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation, the nonprofit that helped Landen Smith fight cancer.
“It’s a good cause and I’m glad we’re here tonight,” said Smith.
For most of 2020, Smith, a senior, battled a rare cancer.
This year’s matchup is to celebrate him.
“Landen is a big part of this school and we wanted to do something to honor him after all this hardship, so we honor the Northern Nevada Cancer Foundation,” said Kailey Whalen, senior at McQueen.
“Almost every month there was a different gift, a different present, a different encouragement, all to keep us going,” Landen said. “They help a lot of families like me.”
According to the foundation’s website, one in 264 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.
Tickets were $5 and all proceeds went to the organization.
“Tonight we exceeded our target, which was $5,200,” said Kelly Stoll, program service manager at NNCCF.
Although the match was for a good cause, the teams left everything on the ground. At the end, McQueen won the match 62-45.
A full circle moment for Smith.
If you would like to donate to NNCCF, click here.
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