On a summer evening under the lights at the Hollidaysburg Softball / Little League Field, two rival communities came together for more than just a game. For the third year in a row, Hollidaysburg and Altoona softball programs joined forces to Sideline Cancer—and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

In front of a capacity crowd, both schools rallied their communities to raise $4,000 in honor of the Barnhart Family, whose 2.5-year-old son, Lennox, is courageously battling cancer. In a remarkable act of generosity, the Barnhart family decided to “Pay It Forward” and donate the money back to Sideline Cancer so that other families in need can be supported. Their selfless act embodies the true spirit of our mission: uniting communities to Believe Always and carry an I Can attitude.

This annual rivalry game has now raised a total of $12,000 in just three years—an incredible testament to the power of sports, teamwork, and compassion. Special thanks goes out to former Hollidaysburg coach, Heather Perry, whose dedication and leadership once again made this event a success.

And while the mission off the field shined brightest, the action on the diamond didn’t disappoint. Fans were treated to a thrilling, back-and-forth matchup between the two rivals. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Hollidaysburg sealed a dramatic 9-8 walk-off victory to capture the I Can Cup and punch their ticket to the playoffs. The game was filled with clutch hits, defensive “Web Gems,” and the kind of atmosphere that makes high school sports so special.

Thank you to both Hollidaysburg and Altoona for proving once again that when communities unite, incredible things can happen—on and off the field.

Would your school or community like to host a Sideline Cancer event?
Contact Jordan at [email protected] to learn how you can get involved and help make a difference for patients and families battling cancer.