UVA softball team visits children’s hospital cancer patients

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The University of Virginia softball team is hosting its strikeout cancer game this Friday April 12.

It aims to bring awareness to cancer, its effects, and the stories of those who are battling or have beat the disease.

Wednesday, April 10, some of the players paid a surprise visit to UVA Children’s Hospital. They hung out with patients, signed autographs, and gave out tickets ahead of Friday’s game.

“It adds momentum, it adds energy, it adds fight because you’re not alone,” Head Coach Joanna Hardin said, “We’re playing for something way bigger.”

Coach Hardin says the visit was an eye-opening experience.

”It gives us some perspective. One of our cornerstones of our program is perspective, and so this is a great time for us to step outside of our field, and just love on and encourage some other people,” Coach Hardin said.

Third year player UVA softball player Sarah Coons said she wants to give back to those who support the team regardless if they win or lose.

“These kids, they show up to our games, they watch us they think we’re these big superstars, and honestly, I don’t think we think of ourselves like that, but in reality, that’s what we are,” Coons said, “Let them know we’re real people, too and we want to let them know we’re thinking about them and just hanging out with them.”

The Strikeout Cancer Game is this Friday at 7 p.m. against NC State.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.