The Becker High School softball and baseball programs teamed up to host Strikeout Cancer Night last Friday, with several fundraisers and raffles helping raise money for a local family fighting their second battle against the disease.

“The evening honored all that are battling cancer, have beaten cancer, and those that have lost loved ones to the disease,” Becker softball coach Jason Baune said. “However, the evening was also an opportunity to help one family currently in a battle with cancer.” 

Three years ago, Becker High School graduate ReNita (Wilke) Henderson was diagnosed with breast cancer. After fighting the battle and beating breast cancer, she was ready for life to return to normal; however, in 2021 she received the bad news that cancer had returned, this time in the form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Prior to Friday’s game, the softball and baseball programs sold 400 Strikeout Cancer t-shirts as a way to raise funds to support the Henderson family. At Friday’s game, more money was raised via a 50-50 raffle and the sale of Strikeout Cancer wristbands and window decals (donated by Emma Cook).  

“Additional funds were raised as the Becker Blast Softball Association donated the proceeds from the concession stand. And ‘What’s the Scoop’ ice cream truck attended the games and donated a portion of their profit,” said Baune.

There were also a Pampered Chef and Color Street Nails online fundraisers held during the week to benefit the cause. 

“While the fundraising totals are not finalized, we believe that we will be able to donate close to $6,000 to the Henderson family,” Baune said. “I’d like to thank the players and families in the softball and baseball programs for all the work they did to support the cause.”

According to Baune,  the Becker Blast Softball Association and Becker Youth Baseball Association were also a big help.  

“Last, but certainly not least, we owe a big thank you to Tiffany McDowall and McDowall Custom Embroidery,” Baune said. “Tiffany designed and printed all 400 t-shirts in under a week and donated all of her labor which allowed us to raise extra funds for the cause. It’s such an honor to live and work in a community that is so willing to help out a family in need.”