Clinton NHS hosting volleyball game for ChadTough

The National Honor Society (NHS) at Clinton High School (CHS) will be hosting “Block Out DIGP,” a men’s volleyball match to support the ChadTough Foundation on March 12 at 5 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, located at 341 E. Michigan Ave. Both men’s volleyball teams from Clinton and Manchester will play against each other in order to raise money for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) research, an inoperable rare pediatric brain cancer. Admission is $3 per person, free with the purchase of a $12 T-shirt. The Clinton NHS chapter is hoping to raise $1,000 for the ChadTough Foundation through the game. The event is open to the public.

The ChadTough Foundation was started by the family of Chad Carr, a five-year-old boy with DIPG who died within a year of being diagnosed. He is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, former football coach for the University of Michigan.

According to the ChadTough Foundation, each year, 300,350 children in the United States are diagnosed with DIPG. In America, cancer is the number one disease killer of children, with DIPG being the leading cause of death from brain tumors in children. The Clinton chapter of NHS asked that if possible, everyone attending the game wear orange, Chad Carr’s favorite color.

Clinton NHS chapter advisor Tyler George said the response for the event has been surprising. “We already have raised five hundred and fifty dollars from two donors, one of whom has been Jackson College,” George said. “We’ve had resounding support. I have people all across the nation who want to buy our T-shirts. It’s pretty exciting, to be honest.”

This is the second year Clinton NHS will host a charity volleyball game. Last year, the group raised over $600 for I92 Ministries, a food bank out of Lenawee County. George said the idea to raise money for the ChadTough Foundation came from students who have been impacted by the story of the little boy and his struggle with DIPG. “I have two little boys myself, so instantly I have that family-based emotional response,” George said. “Ultimately it’s fun and engaging, but we’re trying to eradicate DIPG and get some exposure that results in research dollars.”

At the game, juniors will play juniors and seniors will play seniors. There will be no prizes or trophies, only the reward of pride for the winning teams. An informational session will be held on DIPG. The family of Chad Carr is planning to attend.

The Clinton NHS seeks to demonstrate scholarship, leadership, service and character, George said, and is primarily focused on giving back to the community and contributing to the well-being of others in a positive manner. George added that these values are amplified by the “Block Out DIPG” event.

“I am blown away by the effort NHS has put into this event,” George said. “They have been putting in countless hours for the success of this game. One of the really cool things about this is that they are as equally excited as I am. They’re genuinely thrilled, which is a lot of fun to watch.”

For more information, or to donate, George can be reached at 456.6511, or at tyler.george@clinton.k12.mi.us.