Perfectly knotted and aggressively green ribbons embellish both the girls varsity basketball team players’ ponytails and staff’s coaching shirts; at first glance the ribbon appears to demonstrate nothing more than game day spirit. However the harsh color of the ribbon represents something much more severe. Cancer.
Girls varsity basketball assistant coach Kevin McKenna is unfortunately no stranger to the evils of cancer. McKenna was first diagnosed with Type T lymphoma in 2023 and was in remission for a year. In spite of that, his Type T lymphoma has returned for a second time.
The process to physically fight the cancer requires McKenna to undergo a course of five chemotherapy treatments and receive a bone marrow transplant.
In order to have a successful bone marrow transplant, McKenna needs to find someone who has the same human leukocyte antigen as him. This is done by donating a blood sample or cheek swab.
“All you need is one match,” McKenna explained.
There is a one in four chance of someone’s human leukocyte antigen matching with McKenna’s and the girls basketball players, staff and supporters have embarked on a mission to help McKenna find a match to hopefully ensure him a life without cancer.
“We had QR codes and signs printed to raise awareness for the Bone Marrow Registry,” Jennifer Zortman, teacher and Homestead athletic supporter, exemplified how the team has been advertising the donation process.
The publicizing of posters and codes are not the only thing the team does on game day to raise awareness.
Every game team staff and players sport lime green ribbons either in their hair or on their coaching shirts. The reason behind the vibrant color is because lime green is associated with Type T lymphoma. The team reps the color to honor McKenna and bring awareness to his diagnosis.
McKenna was unaware of the objective behind the team’s new accessory until right before game day.
“It was shock, I remember we were at a home game, and I noticed everyone was wearing green ribbons and asked why and when they explained why it hit me hard emotionally and mentally in a good way and to have them wear it more then one time means a lot,” McKenna recalled.
To the team the ribbon is just a vessel to show how much they care.
“The ribbon is just another way of supporting someone we care about – an outward visualization of the love and appreciation we have for him. And that we will be there for him through his entire fight!” Anthony Gries, girls varsity basketball coach, said.
The team is also focused on helping McKenna defy the mental obstacles cancer supplies.
“(Cancer is) Joyous and humbling, personally it’s a challenge. You want to stay positive” McKenna said.
Gries described how he and the team want to support McKenna in any possible way whether that be on or off the court.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to be there for him, in whatever capacity he needs. Sometimes, that’s just talking to him about his treatment, mostly it’s talking about basketball. Whatever he needs,
we’re here for him!” Gries explained.
McKenna’s diagnosis has inspired an even bigger sense of team togetherness. Players and their parents have utilized the on the court skill of teamwork to organize a present for McKenna.
“The families of the program donated funds so the girls could gift Coach with a “wellness basket” to help him through his treatments and provide a few laughs and support,” Zortman explained.
McKenna dissected how he has the utmost gratitude for the team’s kindness.
“The girls and staff have reached out to me to support and they don’t understand what they have meant. They have been amazing,” McKenna described.
While the teams’ gifts do not go unrecognized the players. The team’s hearts and spirit are what McKenna recognizes as one of the greatest gifts.
“I would say their humor, personalities and their smiles have been a godsend,” McKenna remarked.
McKenna chose to return to Homestead this year after previously coaching at Homestead before. He believes a classic phrase applies to both his diagnosis and his decision to return to Homestead.
“Everything happens for a reason, me being back at Homestead happened for a reason. They(the team) are the right group at the right time,” McKenna stated.
To see if you are a match to donate bone marrow to Kevin McKenna please scan the QR code below.
