Note: All through November,
SIDEARM Sports is running its
2nd annual Movember campaign and this year, 100 percent of the contributions are going to the family of 10-year old cancer victim Rex Fleming, the son of CoSIDA member Lance Fleming. Lance is the Abilene Christian University Assistant AD for Media Relations. Sadly, Rex lost his battle to brain cancer, passing away on Nov. 25.
Here is a new message from Jeff Rubin, President and CEO of SIDEARM Sports:
To all CoSIDA members,
I always think of collegiate athletics as one large extended family. And like a large family, many of us look forward to seeing each other at CoSIDA or one of the other national con
ventions. However, it is in times of need that families often times show their strength and prove that they are there for one another. This is one of those times.
Last night, 10-year old Rex Fleming (
pictured, right) passed away after a two-year courageous battle with cancer. As many of you know, Rex's father is
Lance Fleming, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations at Abilene Christian University.
Last month, I reached out to Lance to ask if SIDEARM Sports could help raise money to honor Rex with the intent that all the money raised will either go to a scholarship fund or to a charity of the Fleming's choice.
Personally, I cannot fathom what Lance and his wife Jill are going through. Last night they lost their oldest child. Rex also had a younger brother Ryan and a younger sister Ashley. He had loving grandparents and so many others who are grieving this morning.
But they also have all of us, their collegiate athletic family, who I hope will come together to not only offer our condolences, but who will give any amount of money to help honor such an amazing boy.
As a father of two (ages 6 and 5), I cannot imagine what life would be like without one of my sons. As impossible as it is, I am sure any parent would want to take the place of their sick child. While I can't imagine what the Fleming Family is going through, I do know they have not lost their faith. I do know they believe Rex conquered cancer and that they believe Rex has now been healed in Heaven.
Lance and his family have been public and open with Rex's story over the last two years. There is no detail or emotion they have not shared. I highly encourage you to read through their blog (
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rexfleming/journal), so you can also get to know this amazing family and the road they have traveled.
For the past 26 days all of us at SIDEARM Sports as well as hundreds from around the country have been growing facial hair to raise awareness for cancer and to honor Rex. On a daily basis, I have people ask me why I have this ugly hair on my face. Each time someone asks, I get to tell Rex's story over and over again.
Today, I ask that everyone in the collegiate athletic community remember Rex and come together to honor him. Regardless if your website is powered by SIDEARM Sports, Presto Sports, Neulion, CBS Sports, or someone else - this has nothing to do with a provider, but everything to do with the memory of one amazing little boy.
You can donate any amount of money at http://movember.sidearmsports.com. Let's show Lance how strong our family is and how we are all there for him.
Sincerely,
Jeff Rubin, SIDEARM CEO and President, and the SIDEARM staff