Jasper quarterback Spencer Rosenfeld has added incentive to perform at a high level this week as his Vikings are spreading awareness for childhood cancer.
Rosenfeld’s younger sister, Natalie, passed away in 2018 after a hard fight with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastuc Lwukemia in 2018. Natalie was diagnosed when she was 2 and was 5 when she lost that fight.
“Natalie meant everything to me,” Rosenfeld said. “She was my partner. She would come to my games, and when I would come back to the dug out she would critique me. She knew everything about baseball and football. When she was healthy, she would run the fence when I would run a touchdown. It was special. Our bond was special and I miss her. I miss her more than I can put into words.”
The love for his sister led Rosenfeld to plan a special night at Ki-Ro Gambrell Field Friday. The Jasper program, with assistance from the American Cancer Society, will use the game against Wenonah to raise awareness for all types of cancer but, specifically, childhood cancer. Jasper plates will have childhood cancer ribbon decals on their helmets. The ribbons also have Natalie’s name printed on them.
“This idea came up last year,” said Zoshia Rosenfeld, Spencer and Natalie’s mother. “Spencer asked if there was anything we could do to give back. The Crucial Catch for the American Cancer Society reached out to Coach (Philip) Bailey, and he sent it to us.
“The American Cancer Society does so much for cancer patients and their families. We know this first hand,” she added. “They actually paid a power bill for our family while we were in the hospital with Natalie. Spencer has always said if we have any type of platform we must use it for good and raise awareness. We never even thought of childhood cancer until it happened to our girl and took her from us.”
Zoshia Rosenfeld said Natalie was Spencer’s No. 1 fan.
“Natalie was a fighter. She was funny and sassy and she loved her family. But her true love was Spencer,” she said. “She would go to all the games she was able to, and she would yell and cheer for him.
“On the night of Natalie’s funeral, Spencer played a football game for the Vikings. It was one of the best games I ever watched him play,” she added. “That night, he said he would always play for her and he does. It’s not just a game to him. He wants to make her proud.”
The love for his sister is stronger than ever, Spencer Rosenfeld said.
“God has a plan, and I trust in Him, but boy do I miss her so much. She should be here,” he said. “Her birthday is coming up Oct. 2. She would have been 10 this year, and I imagine her in the stands yelling and cheering. I play for her. That’s where my passion comes from.”
Just as much as honoring his sister, Rosenfeld said he wants to raise awareness for the ACS so other people can get the help they need.
“If we can help one family not worry about one bill or gas money to get back and forth to the hospital, then we are making a difference,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about, letting people that are going through this know they are not alone, and people care and want to help.”
Jasper Coach Philip Bailey said his program is honored to be able to help.
“Childhood cancer is such a terrible thing,” he said. “We’re glad to do whatever we can to help raise money and raise awareness to support such a worthy cause.”
There will be donation buckets at the stadium with all the guns going to the American Cancer Society.
“I am so thankful that my son wants to bring awareness. I’m thankful that we live in this community. When Nat was sick, we had so many people from the community reach out to help in different ways. We even had someone cut our grass while we were at the hospital.
“This community is amazing,” she added. “They take care of each other I am thankful for a coach and a program that supports my son and helped him make this happen. I don’t know anyone that has not been touched by cancer and I pray that everyone will help support this great cause.”
Jasper will be looking to improve on its 1-3 record in the region game against Wenonah. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
To donate to the Jasper Vikings’ Crucial Catch campaign, please visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=team&fr_id=103383&team_id=2643690&fbclid=IwAR2FRtvhs5FUlPze7E3dccjqRpJfUlXWXqRhqIf7CYvHok3-XHtW7c45rwk.
