Bernie, Missouri - "Every Day Is a Good Day - Hoops for Hope", sponsored by 18 FORELife will be held in honor of alumnus Shawn Green on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Bernie Mules game against the Puxico Indians.
“Every day is a good day” is the motto Shawn Green lives by. After graduating from Bernie HS in 1993, Shawn enjoyed a stellar collegiate basketball career at Shawnee CC and the University of St. Francis (IL). But his every day journey since 2009 has had many challenges.
In January of 2009, Shawn was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called Glioneuronal. He underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. For the next 6 ½ years, Shawn was considered cancer free and cherished every minute of every day. Shawn and his wife, Erin, added to their family with the birth of Avery Hazel. Shawn continued to do the things he loved such as: spending time with family, traveling, playing golf and running half marathons with his twin brother, Shane and cousin, Jason Long.
In June of 2015, Shawn’s next challenge arose. He experienced an intra-cranial hemorrhage. In early October 2015, the doctors confirmed that there was tumor regrowth in the same area. Within a month (Nov. 4th), Shawn had a second brain tumor resection surgery. He was able to walk out of the hospital just 3 days after the operation. Unfortunately, the setbacks didn’t stop. On Thanksgiving day, Shawn started to develop a staph infection around the incision. Shawn was again admitted to the hospital and endured another surgery to clean out the infected area. This resulted in the permanent removal of the bone flap (part of the skull) which now requires Shawn to wear a helmet when he is not sitting down. The staph infection also led to the weakening of the right side of his body. Shawn spent the next 3 weeks in the Rehab Institute of Chicago (RIC) for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Being released on Christmas Eve, Shawn was able to spend Christmas Day with his family.
This new tumor, a Stage 4 Gliosarcoma, is his biggest challenge yet. Shawn is currently undergoing another round of radiation (15 treatments that will ended January 14th) and chemotherapy. He continues to receive outpatient therapy at RIC to regain the physical strength he lost due to the staph infection.
On behalf of Shawn’s family (Erin and Avery), Shane’s family (Kerri, Lainey and Malley),brother Kevin and our mom and dad, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all of the support, prayers and positive energy. Shawn is an inspiration to all of us on a daily basis with his undeniable will to fight this terrible disease. “Every day is a good day”
Several events are slated for the evening of January 22nd, please come out eat, enjoy, and most of all give whatever you can to help this amazing family.
A Fish Fry will be held from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Bernie Cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased for $10 or you can purchase at the door.
Luminaries in memory or honor of someone who has battled cancer can also be purchased for $2.00 that night.
There will also be a booth set up to start a college fund for Shawn and Erin's daughter, Miss Avery. Donations will go toward the purchasing of a savings bond that will help someday with her college expenses.
A silent auction will also be held. many items will be available. The auction will end at the start of the halftime of the varsity basketball game. Top bidders will be announced at the conclusion of the varsity game. Baked goods will also be available for purchase in the lobby.
Single donations for Shawn can also be made to "Hoops for Hope" at the Bank of Advance in Dexter. You can mail or drop off your donation or give it to Coach Brad Botch or Kristi Whitehead.
