The 13th annual Cards Against Cancer basketball game supported Sayer Spinler, a 9-year-old fourth grade student at Gail N. Chapman Elementary who was recently diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Sayer, described by his father as a determined kid who loves the outdoors and sports, began his medical journey after complaining of arm pain. Within one week, Sayer was at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center beginning his first round of chemotherapy.

While his mother, Alyssa, was at his side during later treatments at Oishei Children’s Hospital, his father, Rodney, stayed home to manage the family farm and care for Sayer’s siblings. Despite the challenges the family has faced, Spinler shared that Sayer has remained incredibly positive.

“He’s been awesome,” Spinler said. “You couldn’t be any tougher than what he’s been. You get a lot of strength from your kids sometimes. I’ve learned a lot about him in the last three months. I think my wife has too. I think our community has.”

The event saw a packed gymnasium as residents came together to support the Spinlers, who are deeply rooted in local 4-H and sports programs. Attendees participated in a variety of fundraising activities, including a soup bar that served more than 100 people from 15 donated crockpots and a silent pie auction featuring 28 handmade treats. Competition for the baked goods was high according to Debbie Luce, a Randolph teaching assistant who works with students to coordinate Cards Against Cancer.

Debbie Luce making an announcement to the crowd

“The pies go crazy,” Luce said. “Our highest was a Dutch apple pie that went for $125. There were peanut butter brownies going for $100.”

The night also included a basket raffle with 85 donations up for grabs. Items included a signed hockey stick from Buffalo Sabres defenceman Bowen Byram, a 65-inch television, and a membership at Cardinal Hills Golf Course.

The event was supported by an outpouring of student involvement. In addition to athletes, the student council, and the National Honor Society, Luce said members of the Randolph FFA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) joined this year’s efforts to organize the fundraiser and sell pre-sale raffle tickets.

“To me, it’s teaching our kids that it’s not all about what someone can do for you, but what we can do for others,” Luce said. “Accept the generosity of others, but then turn around and pay it forward. We need to see what other people are going through and take time out of our schedule–no matter how busy we are–to help others.”

The night proved to be one of the most successful in the event’s history, raising over $18,000 alongside an additional $3,000 from a local organization. Derek Marsh, a leukemia survivor and founder of Strike Out Leukemia, presented a check to the Spinlers with his father, Randy Marsh, who launched a “Sayer Strong” apparel store through the Jock Shop to aid fundraising efforts.

Randolph area residents are pictured eating soup that was offered as part of the recent Cards Against Cancer fundraiser.

After seeing the community come together for the cause, Rodney Spinler had a message to share with everyone for their involvement.

“Thank you for everything,” Spinler said. “I don’t know if I can ever tell them thank you enough. And I would name names, but I would forget somebody along the way, and everybody has been awesome. My dad died from cancer in 2000, and we saw the support–not like this, it was a little different–but the support from the farming community back then was crazy. And this is even 10 times more than what it was back then. So, I mean, we’ve always known what Randolph’s about. If you need something, they’ve got you. Great community, proud to be part of it.”

Since it began in 2013, Cards Against Cancer has raised approximately $120,000 to assist local families facing medical crises. Those interested in supporting the fundraiser can send donations anytime during the year to the Randolph Community Love Fund, Randolph Central School, 18 Main Street, Randolph, NY 14772. For more information on how to help, please contact Debbie Luce at 716-358-6161.

Randolph High School students are pictured wearing Sayer Strong apparel.

Randolph Community Rallies to Raise More Than $21,000 During Cards Against Cancer