WLCSD hosts more events in support of cancer battle

Athletes in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District are helping with the battle against cancer as the Walled Lake Central High School football team and the Walled Lake Braves flag football organization hold special events this weekend.

Walled Lake Central will conclude its Pink Viking Week schedule of events on Friday, Oct. 19 at its Pink Week football game. The school will honor those affected by cancer by sharing a moment of silence during the halftime show. Players will wear pink socks on the field. All teams at the school have added pink to their uniforms to support the fight against cancer. The game will start at 7 p.m. at Walled Lake Central.

Last month, the Walled Lake Western High School football team raised thousands for the fight against cancer during the Warriors’ annual Pink Out game on Sept. 21. The game featured Commerce Elementary School student Jacob Pesta, 8, as the Warriors’ honorary captain.

Pesta, a second-grader at Commerce Elementary, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor when he was 5-years-old. He has since overcome the diagnosis following three years of treatment.

“Jake will never be able to participate in full-contact sports due to the brain tumor trauma he’s endured,” his mother, Shelly, said following the Warriors game. “This experience by the football team left him with a never-before feeling of being part of a team. He was overjoyed and really absorbed feeling like he was one of the football players. We thank everyone involved for providing such a memorable experience for Jake and supporting the pediatric cancer world, too.”

Jacob’s Fight Foundation, which his family formed to help survivors and spread awareness of pediatric cancer, raised about $40,000 in September at the organization’s first fund-raiser, Rockin the D on the Runway, held at the Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, Pesta is expected to be the honorary captain for the Walled Lake Braves flag football organization in its final regular season game at Walled Lake Northern High School. The Braves also invited Jacob’s sister, Kaitlyn, to join cheerleaders at the game.

That game will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday.