Benet Volleyball Cancer Fundraiser Broadens Focus, Honors Former Teacher

This past summer, announced the death of 31-year veteran Sheila Jacklich. Jacklich was a French teacher and assistant dean of students who battled cancer for more than five years, according to the school.

While the girls volleyball program has been active since 2008 to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, they are honoring Jacklich this year by extending their reach to all types of cancer.

"Volley vs. Cancer" will take place 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the St. Ronald Gymnasium at Benet, and feature a much-anticipated varsity volleyball match between two of the area’s top-ranked teams: the Benet Academy Redwings and the Marist High School Redhawks. The Benet girls will be wearing multi-colored, tie-dyed shirts symbolizing the fight against cancer.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Sheila Jacklich Memorial Scholarship Fund at Benet Academy, and to the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola Hospital in Maywood, IL.

Various fund-raising activities are planned for the event including a split-the-pot raffle and raffles for Bears, Blackhawks and University of Notre Dame football tickets.  Prior to the event, volleyball players will be selling T-shirts, lollipops and ribbons to raise money for the cause. In addition, a portion of all ticket sales will be a donation.