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Ex-Ohio State QB visits student with cancer
Cardale Jones Visits Valley
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Former OSU football star Cardale Jones visited a McDoanld girl who is battling cancer. She is also a member of the McDonald Jr. High girls basketball team.
Ex-Ohio State QB visits student with cancer
By Greg Gulas
MINERAL RIDGE
When Cardale Jones was informed of McDonald junior high student Anna Booth’s recent cancer diagnosis, the former Ohio State Buckeyes’ national championship signal-caller wanted to do something special in order to help keep her spirits up.
So did both the McDonald and Mineral Ridge school systems and their respective communities.
Monday’s girls basketball game between the Blue Devils and Rams, dubbed “Cancer Awareness Game” by host Mineral Ridge High School, featured an appearance by Jones with the hope of raising much needed funds for medical expenses Booth and her family will incur.
Diagnosed with liver cancer prior to the Christmas holiday, Jones’s first stop was a visit to Booth at her home before heading over to Monday’s game.
“My buddy Jason [Scalese] reached out to me and asked if I could make the game and I originally thought the game was Sunday, so I said of course,” Jones said. “When I found out it was Monday, I said ‘Holy Smokes,’ I have class and didn’t know if I could make it. After he told me about the situation, I said I’m coming no matter what. I couldn’t thank him enough for bringing it to my attention.”
Jones took several items, including an autographed jersey to his home visit.
“She couldn’t be here and her family was giving me a little bit of background about her history and the things she was going through,” Jones said. “For her to have so many smiles on her face when I came to visit and give her a jersey, we just hung out for a bit and I only wished that I could have hung out longer. My first impression was that it was amazing to see how strong she was because you couldn’t tell that she was going through what she was going through.”
The game was in the works for barely a week, according to Tim Porter, Rams director of athletics and a McDonald resident.
“We thought that this would be a great time to unite both communities, all with the hope of raising cancer awareness and money for Anna’s medical expenses,” Porter stated.
With 1,311 career points, Booth’s mother, Amy (Bundy) Harrison, is the all-time leading scorer for the Mineral Ridge girls program.
Her stepfather, Sean Harrison, couldn’t thank Jones enough for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit Anna.
“We’re all Buckeye fans so for him to take the time to come to the house and pay Anna a visit is truly amazing,” Harrison said. “We’re also very grateful to all of our friends from both communities for their love and support.”
Anna’s father, Rick Booth, also a Mineral Ridge graduate, called his daughter an unselfish individual.
“Anna puts everyone before herself, she always has,” Rick said. “It makes me feel really good to see how everyone has come together for her and I am sure that she is so very happy to see that so many people have cared enough to send their thoughts, prayers and most of all, their love.”
Jody Conway, who teaches special education (grades 7 thru 9) for McDonald Schools, is credited with contacting Scalese, who didn’t take long at all in confirming Jones’ willingness to help out.
“I sent Jason a text and within five minutes he had Cardale and some other stuff coming Anna’s way,” Conway said. “Kids come up to me every day asking how they can help and show support. Cardale showed his support by joining the legion of people who are now a part of Anna’s Army.”
With Mineral Ridge wearing their pink uniforms, Blue Devils coach Amy Dolsak had her team in pink warm-ups with Booth’s number and name emblazoned on the back.
A spaghetti dinner will be held Feb. 12 at the Village Banquet Center, 1057 Illinois Avenue, McDonald – cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, eight years-old and under – and those wishing to donate can do so at any Home Savings and Loan branch bank using the “Team Anna Family Fund” account.