SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University's football and baseball teams are teaming up on Thursday, April 18 to support the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital with both teams pitching in to support local families.
 
The baseball and football Bears will both wear gold shoe laces on that evening to raise awareness for those in the Springfield community needing support in their battle with pediatric cancer.
 
Football will play its annual Maroon and White Spring Game on that evening, starting at 5 p.m. Donations will be accepted at all entrances to Robert W. Plaster Stadium for the spring game with a suggested contribution of $1 per guest. Fans may also make contributions in the "Bear Fair" pregame areas outside the stadium (in the traditional BearFest Village).
 
Everyone who makes a donation at the football game will also receive a free ticket for the MSU baseball game later that evening. All money collected will stay local and go directly to families of pediatric cancer patients.
 
MSU baseball will host the University of New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. that evening at Hammons Field. Throughout the game, donations will be accepted at various collection points in the ball park.
 
Regular gate admission will be charged for the baseball game, but those making a donation at the Spring Football Game will receive a free admission voucher. The box office at Hammons Field cannot accept donations for the pediatric cancer fundraiser.
 
"We are so excited to join forces with our awesome baseball team to support pediatric cancer awareness," said football head coach Dave Steckel. "Athletics is all about the players and finding a cure is all about these kids. BearUp and know your donations set a great example that we are in this together."
 
""It's certainly a great chance for us to help a great cause, and we embrace the opportunity to team up with our football program help promote pediatric cancer awareness," said MSU baseball head coach Keith Guttin.
 
Additional donations will be accepted at the "Go4theGoal" website with Missouri State's push for a goal of $2,500 in online donations.
 
In addition to the April 18 donation efforts, Missouri State football and baseball coaching staffs, student-athletes and mascot Boomer will visit pediatric cancer patients at Mercy Hospital in Springfield on Tuesday, April 16.

ABOUT PEDIATRIC CANCER CARE AT MERCY
Mercy accepts pediatric cancer patients from birth to 18-years-old from 31 Missouri counties and several counties in Northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma. In the past 12 months, Mercy has received 227 Hematology referrals and 37 Oncology referrals (27 of whom have been receiving active cancer treatment). Mercy sees an estimated 15-20 clinic visits a day, 123 Oncology clinic visits a month, 105 Hematology clinic visits a month, and numerous inpatient admissions.