Roberts volleyball grads back teammate to beat cancer
Young mother finds more insurance for baby leaves her with less to fight disease

When Dave and Tami Nelson welcomed their first child, daughter Brooklynne, into their family last September, Tami changed her health insurance to a plan with more benefits for her baby, but less for her as a new mom. Five months later, Tami was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and couldn't switch the insurance plan back. The cancer precipitated a bout with pneumonia, a three-week hospital stay and a $73,000 bill. And now that Tami is starting chemotherapy, the bill continues to grow.

Former volleyball teammates of the Roberts Wesleyan College alumna, Jen Pincombe and Candace Kaylor, are coordinating "For Those Who Hope," a co-ed 4-on-4 volleyball tournament to raise funds for Tami's treatment. The tournament will be Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Voller Athletic Center (VAC) on the Roberts campus, 2301 Westside Drive, Chili. Entry fee is $90 per team. There will be competitive and recreational divisions. Entry forms are available at the VAC, or by e-mailing forthosewhohope@hotmail.com. The entry deadline is April 24. All proceeds will go to the Nelson Cancer Benefit Fund.

There will be a benefit concert April 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the VAC, featuring two Rochester bands that will play acoustic-style Christian music. The concert is free. Donations are welcome. Silent auction and donation boxes will be available throughout the day.

For information e-mail forthosewhohope@hotmail.com. For those unable to attend, but who would like to contribute, checks can be made out to: Tami Nelson - Nelson Cancer Benefit and mailed to: Bank of America, 751 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.

April 23, 2006