West Deptford High School Raises $1,200 For Brain Cancer Research

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — West Deptford High School raised $1,200 for childhood brain tumor research through its holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments on Dec. 27 and 28, the school announced this week. The tournaments, held at RiverWinds Community Center in West Deptford, help raise money for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Funds go specifically towards childhood brain tumor research in memory of Bryce Hansen, son of West Deptford residents Jeff and Judy Hansen.

Donations to Bryce’s charity at CHOP, Bryce’s Bridge of Hope, were made by boys head coach J. McKeown, girl’s head coach Mark Petito, Athletic Director Jason Morrell, and the West Deptford High School Basketball Boosters.

“RiverWinds is a great venue and we really appreciate the support from our boosters and the RiverWinds staff,” McKeown and Petito agreed.

“The cause is great,” West Deptford Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Jason Morrell said. “This is our fifth year having the tournament and our third-year fund raising for CHOP and Bryce’s Bridge of Hope. We had the freshman tournament for the second year to coincide with the varsity tournament. Each year, it gets better. We are a close-knit family at West Deptford and I couldn’t be happier with all the support from our boosters, the RiverWinds Community Center and our sponsors.”

Jeff and Judy Hansen founded Bryce’s Bridge of Hope in 2005. The Hansens have supported Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the fight against childhood cancer. Their son, Bryce, lost a battle with brain cancer at 2 ½ years old. Since then, it has been their mission to keep his memory alive while supporting others who face a similar fight against childhood cancer.

“The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the leading hospitals in the world and they do so many great things. We are very fortunate to live near a facility like CHOP. To go there and know you are getting the best doctors and the best care is very comforting,” the Hansens said in a press release from the school district. “We will continue our efforts on supporting them as long as we can. We appreciate all that is done in our son’s name. The West Deptford community has always been very supportive. We like to thank Jason and his staff for all that they do.”

Woodrow Wilson won the girls tournament for the second consecutive year. It defeated West Deptford in the final of a field that also included Vineland and Pennsauken. Burlington Township won the boys tournament, defeating Cedar Creek in the final. In addition to West Deptford, Woodrow Wilson also competed in the boys tournament.

Patch file photo