Illinois High School Honors Cancer Survivors at Game

A high school basketball game in Illinois is turning into a celebration of courage and survival this Friday.

Hamilton County High School will host the Blackout Cancer Game on February 13, where cancer survivors take center stage. Between the junior varsity and varsity games, survivors will walk a lap of honor around the gym while the community cheers them on.

The event happens during the Foxes' matchup against the Carmi-White County Bulldogs. But the real competition that night is between hope and cancer, and hope is winning.

Organizers are asking survivors to gather in the Commons area with three minutes left in the JV game. From there, they'll step onto the court for their moment of recognition.

The evening also serves a bigger purpose. It launches the 2026 Hamilton, Wayne, and White County Relay for Life season, which will culminate in a major event on June 13 at the Carlton Center in McLeansboro.

Tables in the Commons will display raffle baskets and provide information about Relay for Life. Survivors can register and connect with resources while spectators learn how to get involved.

The Ripple Effect

When a community gathers to honor cancer survivors, the impact extends far beyond one night. Young athletes learn that true strength comes in many forms, not just scoring points or winning games.

Relay for Life chair Janice Crow encourages everyone to wear Blackout Cancer or survivor shirts. The message is clear: this community stands together.

These moments of recognition matter deeply to survivors who've endured treatments, uncertainty, and fear. Seeing a gymnasium full of supporters cheering their resilience can be as healing as any medicine.

The event also builds momentum for June's larger Relay for Life gathering, where thousands of dollars will be raised for cancer research and patient support. One basketball game becomes a launching pad for months of fundraising and awareness.

Friday night's game reminds us that the smallest gestures can create the biggest waves of hope.