TOLEDO, OH - On November 7, Central Catholic students and staff raised $5,334 at IrishTHON, a student-led fundraising event and an evening of fun and fellowship. Students raised money through sponsorships from families, friends, and alumni donors. All donations go directly to Catching Up With Jack, a local organization committed to helping kids battling cancer as well as supporting research to find a cure.
Sophomore Mary Fineske is a member of the IrishTHON Core Team, which plans the event, comes up with the theme, sets up and decorates, supervises the evening’s activities, and arranges for speakers to address the attendees. Mary’s family created Catching Up With Jack after her brother, Jack, lost his battle with pediatric brain cancer in 2015. The family decided to view their loss as a way to not only raise awareness for childhood cancer, but also to support the families who would soon go through the long road of hospital treatment they had experienced themselves.
“To have my fellow students and school community participating in this event and supporting Catching Up With Jack means the world to me and my family,” Mary said. “Seeing teachers, athletes, students, and donors take time out of their Saturday night, choosing to be at school to support our mission is truly amazing. We are able to help so many doctors, local families, and most importantly kids, all who have to go through the same experiences as my family. To see my school community want to participate in this with us and be impacted by the legacy of my brother is truly something I will never forget.
“The money raised at IrishTHON, along with all the money Catching Up with Jack raises, will go to fulfilling our mission in Jack's legacy. We will donate to cancer research at various foundations, including the University of Michigan Cancer Research Center, and also support local families who are battling cancer. We provide what we can to help them get through this hard time, whether it's financial assistance or any other form of support.”
“We are very proud to offer a safe and fun night to come together as an Irish family to support kids fighting their biggest battle,” said Patrice Brock, CCHS science teacher and one of the IrishTHON advisors. “The money was raised through registration tickets and individual donors. These four hours spent at IrishTHON allowed our kids to be part of a bigger mission - directly helping local families in need.”
One of the most impactful moments at IrishTHON is when the students hear from invited speakers who share the importance of the fundraising event. This year’s speakers were Corri (Helldobler) Stanley ’03, a former Central Catholic teacher and head girls’ basketball coach whose son Colton fought T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, and Brady and Katie Fineske, the founders of Catching Up With Jack.
“Mrs. Stanley spoke about how her family was helped by local organizations when her son Colton fought his battle with cancer,” said Brock. “We were so happy to have the entire Stanley family present Saturday night, including Colton. Mr. Fineske shared how events such as IrishTHON help their foundation provide support for families as well as for cancer research. IrishTHON embodies our mission as a school and provides a way for our students to see the impact of their efforts.”
Students who attend IrishTHON receive a wristband to wear during the event. At the end of the evening, senior members of the Core Team gather the students to cut off their wristbands as a symbol representing their accomplishment. Since they stay on their feet throughout the entire event the way medical staff members stay busy and on their feet during a shift at the hospital, the cutting of the wristbands is like the end of the shift. It represents working hard and reaching your goal.
CCHS students created the IrishTHON in 2019 as a way for Central Catholic to do more community outreach, not only for our surrounding neighbors, but for the city of Toledo as a whole. Since its inception, the event has raised over $62,000 to help local families.
Anyone who still wishes to donate to this worthy cause through IrishTHON may do so HERE until November 13. To learn more about Catching Up With Jack or to donate directly, please visit catchingupwithjack.com.
