Montcalm Community College Centurions fans are urged to get their pink on and fill the stands to help raise awareness and funds for cancer awareness.

A Pink Out will be held during the Centurions home game on Thursday, Oct. 12, against Muskegon Community College. Game time is at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium on MCC’s Sidney campus.

This year, all proceeds from the Centurions Pink Out will benefit The Big O Foundation.

Established in January 2021, the Big O Foundation works to support cancer patients and their families in Montcalm County with financial help for treatment and mental health assistance.

The Foundation is a direct result of a local man – Oryan Wetherington, son of Chris and Sarah Wetherington, of Stanton – who was faced with a cancer diagnosis at a young age.

“In fall of 2017, our lives were shaken up and we were thrown into many thoughts of disbelief, fear and worry,” Sarah said. “As a senior in college, Oryan had pain and discomfort in his groin area. Through a couple of doctor visits, we were informed that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.”

Less than 10 days after his diagnosis, Oryan underwent surgery to remove the tumor. About a week after surgery, Oryan received a check in the mail from a non-profit organization with a letter stating the check was to help with any expenses that may be incurred during his fight.

Sarah explained that at first, Oryan wanted to send the money back and ask them to re-gift it to someone in greater need. However, as the family talked about it, they decided they would find a way to pay it forward. This led to the Kicking Caner with Oryan Golf Outing.

“We started this outing to fundraise for the purpose of helping Montcalm County families,” Sarah said. “In our first three years, we were able to donate approximately $37,000 to this organization.

“After the 2020 outing, Oryan decided that he wanted to start his own foundation with a similar but different approach. Oryan wanted to include, in his mission, helping cancer patients with mental health therapy,” she said.

The Big O Foundation focuses on three main areas – direct monetary support for cancer patients in Montcalm County, offering at least one scholarship at each of the seven high schools in Montcalm County to a qualifying graduating senior, and offering monetary support for patients that need help with a mental health struggle that they may be having as it relates to their cancer diagnosis.

Since the Big O Foundation was established, it has raised $56,364 from its golf outings and donations and has issued 67 checks to support others.

“Our goal is to be able to continue increasing those amounts in the future,” Sarah said. “The only way we hear about people that we can help is by word of mouth. Oryan will be six years cancer free on October 30, 2023.

Sarah said from the beginning, their family received an outpouring of support from the community and continues to receive support through generous contributions from area businesses and individuals who support the golf outing each year.

“It is very emotional and heart-warming to see the support. Because of their support, we are able to help those in Montcalm County,” she said. “We live in a very amazing and generous community and have some amazing supporters.”

MCC Athletic Director Hunter Redman said the Wetherington family’s story and commitment to giving back to the community is why the Big O Foundation was selected as the college’s partner this year for the Pink Out game.

“Community is our middle name here at Montcalm Community College, and working with the Big O Foundation is another way that we can support our community,” Redman said. “At MCC, we are transforming lives every day, and the Wetherington’s are doing the same as they seek to help alleviate some of the financial burden that comes along with a cancer diagnosis.”

On gameday, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person for adults; $3 for children ages 6 to 12, for senior citizens aged 60 and older and people with a military ID; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Season tickets may be purchased online at montcalm.edu/athletics. Concessions to purchase will also be available at MCC’s Woodside Café. For this game only, MCC students who show their student ID will receive a free slice of pizza and bag of popcorn.

Montcalm Community College Volleyball pink shirts will also be on sale for $25 each with proceeds to benefit The Big O Foundation. Pink shirts also may be purchased anytime before Oct. 12 in the Athletics Office on the college’s Sidney campus and during home games on Oct. 7 and Oct. 12.