“Katherine’s Army” raises over $50,000 to support St. Patrick student-athlete Katherine Adams in her fight against Ewing Sarcoma

St. Patrick catholic high school student-athletes are known as the “Fighting Irish”. One of their very own, Katherine Adams, has been fighting the ultimate battle of cancer. When you are in a community like the one she is in with the Fighting Irish, her friends, and her family, Katherine knows that she is never fighting alone.

Adams, a member of the Lady Irish tennis and soccer teams, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma earlier this year. On Saturday, her friends and family put their best running shoes on to raise money with fun run. This is the second fundraiser event that Katherine’s closest friends have put on in support of her. The first being a pickleball tournament just last month.

While the number of those in attendance may have been different this time around, the goal is still the same.

“The pickleball kind of got the ball rolling, of course,” Elizabeth Colson said. “Today there are a lot more people, this is a bigger event. But overall, everyone is coming out because they love Katherine or they know here. They might know people that know and love her so, it’s all for Katherine.”

“It has been awesome,” Lillieanna Bentz said. “I will watch the sign-up come through online and just with my mom. It is so awesome, like, she cries every time someone reaches out to help or to donate. So many people have sponsored and donated money and brought awareness to this. I am so thankful to my friends for spreading the word and for El and her family.”

“The most important thing that I wanted was that Kat and her family knew how much she is loved, cared for, supported and prayed for,” Julie Bentz said. “Katherine felt it. It has just been very special to see.”

The sense of community that this group of friends has been able to bring around Katherine incredible. Her friends make sure she is encouraged and that she knows just how loved she is.

While everyone gathered together for an announcement at the fundraiser, Katherine got to see all of the love and support with her own eyes. Adams was unable to attend the pickleball event last month. She was unsure if she could come on Saturday. Emotion overcame Katherine as she saw the support of her friends and family.

While she was surprising everyone, she had no idea that she was in for a surprise herself. Katherine’s Army and the Fun Run raised Over $50,000 to help Katherine, and her family, through her battle against Ewing sarcoma. Something her win sister, Ella Adams, says takes her families breathe away.

“Really, it is awesome,” she said. “It leaves our how family speechless, like, we don’t have anything to say. Our gratitude is just…it’s just so good.”