APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University women’s basketball team will “Play for Patrick” when the Vikings take on Beloit College on Tuesday (Feb. 9) at Alexander Gymnasium.
The Vikings are attempting to raise money and awareness for 21-year-old Patrick Fridland, a De Pere native. Fridland was diagnosed in September 2015 with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Cash donations will be accepted throughout the evening.
The game against Beloit begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by the men’s contest vs. the Buccaneers at 5:30 p.m. There is no admission fee for Lawrence basketball.
Osteosarcoma occurs mostly in children and young adults and attacks bones that are growing quickly. It most commonly attacks areas around the knee or shoulder.
Fridland’s connection to Lawrence women’s basketball comes through Vikings junior guard Aubrey Scott, a family friend. A standout golfer and graduate of De Pere High School, Fridland was attending UW-Whitewater when he was diagnosed.
Fridland, whose cancer was found in his leg, went through chemotherapy from September to January. He also had surgery to remove the tumor in early January and had his leg amputated. He is currently undergoing additional chemotherapy.
Donations will be used to help Fridland purchase a prosthetic leg and benefit the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. T-shirts for the event will be on sale for $15 or you can purchase two shirts for $25.