Article Title: Team KC (Korrine Croghan) Battles Cancer
Date: 2/23/08
Written by Linda Sandsmark - Castro Valley Forum Reporter
Few things can be more heartbreaking than hearing that your child has cancer. But the family and friends of Canyon Middle School teacher Matt Croghan have managed to turn his daughter’s recent illness into a rallying point for the community. Last Saturday night some 120 people joined the Croghans at Castro Valley’s Palomares Café in an event to support the family and raise money to battle cancer.
Just two months ago, 13-year-old Korrine Croghan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Choriocarcinoma, which affects ‘germ cells’ that would ordinarily become eggs in ovaries. Korrine has bravely faced several rounds of chemotherapy already. These have been effective against the cancer so far, but caused her beautiful blonde hair to fall out.
Family and friends formed “Team KC” to support Korrine, her eight-year-old brother Sean, her mother Dana, and Matt. Cousins Trevor and Tristen Croghan (children of Canyon Middle School principal Mark Croghan and his wife Denise) conceived Saturday’s poker tournament fund raiser as a novel way of involving the community.
“I’m just thankful for this circle of support,” says Matt’s wife Dana. “From the original diagnosis of a very rare Stage 4 cancer, everyone has been so helpful. I’m grateful that this brought family, friends and the community together. Everyone’s support has uplifted us, so we can get through this.”
Many participants wore Team KC t-shirts to the tournament, which included Texas Hold ‘Em poker, a raffle and food. Several people, including Korrine’s brother Sean and poker emcee Kevin Lalor, also had their heads shaved during the event to show their solidarity with Korrinne.
Proceeds from the tournament will go toward medical bills, Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation, and Team KC’s participation in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life this summer. Down the road, the Croghans hope to give back by helping Team KC assist another family in the same situation.
In the meantime, the family has received some incredible gifts. An avid water polo player, Korrine was sent a ball and photo autographed by the players of the 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team. Canyon Middle School staff also sent her brother special “Christmas in January” gifts. Lance Armstrong signed and sent his most recent book, and hockey player Ryan Jones donated a jersey signed by his University of Miami team for the raffle. Team KC members regularly brought meals to the family.
Much of Korrine’s story has been recorded on an extraordinary website, http://korrinecroghan.blogspot.com/. The site was created to keep friends and family updated on Korrine's progress and continuing treatment.
Donations to Team KC are still welcome. This may be done by either visiting the website and following the links, or by mailing checks to: Team KC, Account #2231235, Uncle Credit Union, 2100 Las Positas Ct., Livermore, CA 94551.
“I just want to say again how much we want to thank everyone,” says Dana. “It’s helped to turn a negative into a positive.”
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