Duke Softball Support Your Cause Game

2024 Duke Softball Support Your Cause Game

Duke softball student-athletes are more than just athletes on the field. Join us as the team plays for a cause beyond themselves.To raise awareness for the causes they support, the team will be wearing special warm-up shirts. Below are the causes that our players and coaches have chosen to play for and support:

#2 Sophie Garner-MacKinnon
Cause/Organization: LGBTQ Community & The Trevor Project
Learn More: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Why the Cause is Important: As someone with two moms, as well as many LGBTQ teammates and friends, this cause is very near and dear to my heart. The Trevor Project, specifically, is an organization that advocates for the mental health of LGBTQ youth, which is something I think is very important.

#3 Kelly Torres
Cause/Organization: Headstrong Foundation, in honor of Kaylee Rodriguez
Learn More: https://headstrong.org
Why the Cause is Important: Today I play for The Headstrong Foundation, in honor of Kaylee Rodrigez and her family. Kaylee was my former teammate, who went on to play at the University of Michigan. In 2022, Kaylee was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma located in her left hip. After a long and difficult battle with her tumor, she is a survivor. Kaylee has teamed up with the Headstrong Foundation, an online campaign to raise money and awareness for families overcoming cancer. Throughout the season, I will be styling my game hair in honor of Kaylee, her village and the Headstrong Foundation.

#4 Ana Gold
Cause/Organization: Double H Ranch
Learn More: https://www.doublehranch.org/
Why the Cause is Important: Double H Ranch is a nonprofit camp in Lake Luzerne, N.Y. It was founded by Paul Newman with the goal of providing a year-round camp experience for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. I volunteered at the Double H Ranch in high school during the winter as a ski instructor. Seeing these kids have so much fun and seeing the smiles on their faces is why I love Double H so much.

#5 Amiah Burgess
Cause/Organization: The Kelsey Nalepa Foundation
Learn More: https://www.active.com/league-city-tx/running/distance-running/5k-for-kelsey-2024
Why the Cause is Important: The Kelsey Nalepa Foundation was created in honor of a young girl in my community who was lost due to an underage drinking and driving accident. I play for Kelsey, reminding people that drinking and driving can take away daughters, friends and teammates. I never want to put a family in this situation and implore all to help end drunk driving. The foundation aims to bring awareness to the impacts of drinking and driving, while raising funds for the Kelsey Nalepa Scholarship.

#7 Claire Davidson
Cause/Organization: National Coalition for the Homeless
Learn More: https://nationalhomeless.org/who-we-are/
Why the Cause is Important: I play for the National Coalition for the Homeless because they are working to prevent and end homelessness. Whenever I see homeless people in need, I struggle with not being able to do more to help them. Supporting an organization that helps people nationwide provides a greater impact than I can provide on my own to give struggling families an opportunity to receive help.

#10 D’Auna Jennings
Cause/Organization: LGBTQ Community
Learn More: https://lgbt.foundation/our-mission-vision-and-values/
Why the Cause is Important: I play for the LGBTQ community because I have many people close to me that I love close who are part of this community and I value their life and interests. Giving them as much love and respect as everyone else is very important given they are no different.

#11 Kelsey Zampa
Cause/Organization: The American Heart Association
Learn More: https://www.heart.org/en/about-us
Why the Cause is Important: I play for the American Heart Association because they have played a vital role in supporting those who suffer from heart disease. I have had the opportunity to see their work firsthand as they have helped a close family member in their fight against heart disease. I just want to say thank you for making a hard battle a little bit easier to fight for so many!

#13 Francesca Frelick
Cause/Organization: Tunnels to Towers Foundation
Learn More: https://t2t.org/stephens-story/
Why the Cause is Important: The Tunnels to Towers Foundation is important to me because my grandfather fought in WWII and was a prisoner of war. There has always been a special place in my heart for active military and those who have served our country. Those individuals are extraordinary and they and their families deserve to be taken care of. The Tunnels for Towers Foundation provides mortgage-free housing to Gold Star and fallen first responder families by providing smart homes for those injured in the line of duty.

#14 Jala Wright
Cause/Organization: Alzheimer's Association
Learn More: https://www.alz.org/about
Why the Cause is Important: The Alzheimer's Association is important to me because I recently just lost my Nana to Alzheimer's. To witness a love one going through Alzheimer's firsthand is heartbreaking. I hope that with future research, no one will have to experience the pain that I felt. Thank you to all those who are paving the way to fight and cure this disease!

#15 Lillie Walker
Cause/Organization: Parkinson's Foundation
Learn More: https://www.parkinson.org
Why the Cause is Important: I play for the Parkinson's Foundation because it funds research that aids treatment for a diease that impacts over 10 million people worldwide. My Grandad recently passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and I want to do my part in supporting those who are still in the fight.

#16 Dani Drogemuller
Cause/Organization: United States Humane Society
Learn More: https://www.humanesociety.org/how-you-can-help
Why the Cause is Important: The United States Humane Society is important to me because all animals deserve a second chance. As someone who has rescued a pet from the humane society, I am an avid supporter of their values and the care provided to the animals that end up there. My rescue dog, Louie, just needed a second chance and good home to be himself in. I will never forget bringing him home for the first time and watching him adjust to his new environment and family!

#17 Aminah Vega
Cause/Organization: Type 1 Diabetes
Learn More: https://www.jdrf.org
Why the Cause is Important: Type 1 Diabetes is important to me because of my brother. His resilience and courage in managing this disease has motivated me to support this cause. He has shown that with hard work and positivity, anyone can overcome this challenge. His refusal to let diabetes limit him inspires me to support the organizations that raise funds and awareness of this illness.

#19 Cassidy Curd
Cause/Organization: Melanoma awareness
Learn More: https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/
Why the Cause is Important: Melanoma awareness is important to me because my mom is a survivor. Her journey highlights the importance of early detection and prevention. I'm committed to spreading awareness to protect others from having to experience what she went through.

#22 Linh Le
Cause/Organization: National Kidney Foundation
Learn More: https://www.kidney.org/about
Why the Cause is Important: I support the National Kidney Foundation because they have been instrumental in my family's journey with renal disease. My dad has been battling this condition for three years now, undergoing dialysis as he awaits a kidney transplant. In early March, my mom generously donated part of her kidney to him. The National Kidney Foundation, along with the incredible transplant team at UCSF, provided invaluable support and resources during this challenging time. Their dedication to kidney health and their assistance in facilitating life-saving transplants like my dad's is why I wholeheartedly endorse their cause.

#23 Sarah Goddard
Cause/Organization: Alzheimer's Association
Learn More: https://www.alz.org/about
Why the Cause is Important: I play for Alzheimer's Association because it is a cause that has impacted my family for generations. My grandpa passed away in 2020 from Alzheimer's and I got to experience firsthand just how devastating the disease is. Additionally, I play for my grandma who was a caretaker for my grandpa the entire time, as Alzheimer's changes more lives than the people who have it.

#25 Jada Baker
Cause/Organization: Multiple Sclerosis
Learn More: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
Why the Cause is Important: I play for multiple sclerosis because my grandma struggles with MS every day. This is a disease that has no cure and I want more people to know about it. My grandma is such a strong person and despite her fight with this disease, she still proceeds to put on a happy face every time I see her!

#29 Gisele Tapia
Cause/Organization: Breast Cancer
Learn More: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer/
Why the Cause is Important: I play for breast cancer because I believe in supporting those affected and raising awareness about the importance of early detection and research advancements. Playing for breast cancer allows me to contribute to a cause that impacts many lives, fostering hope and empowerment in the fight against this disease.

#32 Kairi Rodriguez
Cause/Organization: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Learn More: https://www.aspca.org/
Why the Cause is Important: I play for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals because they work to help innocent animals in need. They are the national leader in animal rescue and protection and are a major contribution to ending animal cruelty.

#99 Aleyah Terrell
Cause/Organization: Athletes For Hope
Learn More: https://www.athletesforhope.org/who-we-are/story-mission/
Why the Cause is Important: Athletes for Hope is important to me because I believe that all athletes deserve a chance to speak out about their mental health without being chastised. Being surrounded by athletes in my everyday life has opened my eyes to the daily struggles they all have but choose to not speak out about in fear of being criticized.

Kennedy Barron - Student Assistant Coach
Cause/Organization: Sidelined USA
Learn More: https://www.sidelinedusa.org
Why the Cause is Important: I support Sidelined USA because they are a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, support, and community to student-athletes who have experienced a medically-forced exit from their sport. Their principles of finding meaningful ways forward, practicing compassion and perseverance have guided me on my own journey to becoming a student-coach.

Deja Davis - Graduate Student Assistant Coach
Cause/Organization: The Sunrise Movement
Learn More: https://www.sunrisemovement.org/
Why the Cause is Important: The Sunrise Movement is an organization that works to inspire and support youth in the environmental field. They work around the belief that everyone should have access to clean air, water and so much more. I have been passionate about the environment and environmental justice for most of my life and I love the ways in which the Sunrise Movement champions young leaders in the field.

Nicole Schaffer - Director of Player Development
Cause/Organization: Children's Tumor Foundation
Learn More: https://www.ctf.org
Why the Cause is Important: The Children’s Tumor Foundation is important to me because it’s a community which drives awareness, educates those around them and raises money to support research that will lead to effective treatments and hopefully one day soon - a cure. There is no one way to define NF, just like there is no one way to define a person living with this condition. Patients with visible signs of NF struggle to be seen as more than just their NF, while patients whose NF is invisible struggle to make others understand. I support this cause to help others, like myself, know that they are never alone in their journey.

Olivia Watkins - Assistant Coach
Cause/Organization: Breast Cancer
Learn More: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer/

Taylor Wike - Assistant Coach
Cause/Organization: ALS
Learn More: https://www.als.org/understanding-als

Bryan Jones - Assistant Coach
Cause/Organization: T1D Foundation (Type 1 Diabetes)
Learn More: https://t1dfund.org/about-us/

Duke Softball Support Your Cause Game

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