To show support for cancer patients, their caregivers and the American Cancer Society’s mission to end cancer, the Kent State men’s basketball team visited the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Cleveland Sept. 11.

“Our players and our staff do a lot of community service as members of the basketball program here,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Hope Lodge is associated with the Cleveland Clinic, and it’s a facility where people who are undergoing cancer treatments and their caretakers are able to stay free of charge while they’re undergoing treatment.”

The Hope Lodge in Cleveland is one of 30+ facilities where cancer patients can focus on getting better and receiving support from others.

Throughout the day, the team was able to make its impact on Hope Lodge in a few different ways.

“We went up there to serve dinner to the patients and their caregivers and spent a few hours playing games with the people that were staying there at that time,” Senderoff said.

Senderoff spoke for the team when he talked about the impact of cancer not only for the players and staff, but the impact of cancer around the globe.

“I don’t think there is a player on my roster or a person I know that hasn’t been impacted by cancer at some level, whether it be family or friends,” Senderoff said. “For us to have an opportunity to be there and spend a few hours to get to know some of these people – it had a big impact on our players.”

This event was highlighted on the calendar and was of great importance for the team to be at.

“It’s impactful because our program wants to give back the best we can, and this is one of the ways we can do that,” Senderoff said.

Not only has the team made a great effort to help cancer treatment in the fall, but the program makes an impact throughout the basketball season as well.

“One of the programs that we are involved with is helping the American Cancer Society,” Senderoff said. “We have a game during the season where we all wear suits and sneakers to promote awareness and to get funds for cancer research.”

Having been a contender in the Mid-American conference for a while and making the March Madness tournament in 2023, Kent State’s basketball program continues to be a great platform for not just hoops but for a great cause.

The team will continue to give back to Hope Lodge throughout the year, continuing their passion to help cancer treatment.

“During winter break, we have a canned food drive that we’ll bring up to Hope Lodge as well,” Senderoff said. “We’ll continue to give back during the course of the year, and in this day and age, our guys are really fortunate to have the platform they have. Any chance we can use that to give back, we will do that.”

Andrew Gold is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].