BY: Kendra Slis
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Every 34 seconds a person in the United States dies from heart disease. The statistics are shocking. However, on Friday September 9th 2011 the Johnstown Trojan Football Boosters in association with the GJHS Key Club, the Trojan College Access Center, and the American Heart Foundation made a cooperative effort to do their part in trying to lower these statistics. Thus, during the first football home game of the season versus Penn Cambria the Johnstown Trojans hosted the first ever “Trojans Trample Heart Disease” game.
This special event’s concept was created with the memory of Brenda King in the minds and hearts of students and staff members. Mrs. King was the mother of recent Greater Johnstown High School graduates John and Jennifer King. Mrs. King had lost her battle with heart disease and passed away in the spring of 2011 and is dearly missed by many. The special “Trojans Trample Heart Disease” game was held in her honor. To help promote the cause special “Trojans Wear Red” apparel was sold in the preceding days before the event and also made available during the game. The design on the shirts featured the “Trojans Wear Red” phrase along with a red ribbon, the American Heart Foundation logo, and Brenda King’s initials. Proceeds from the shirts went towards a donation to be made to the American Heart Foundation in memory of Mrs. King. Also proceeds will go towards a scholarship created by the Trojan College Access Center honoring Brenda King’s namesake.
The game itself turned out to be a huge success. As fans entered the stadium they were greeted by dozens and dozens of red balloons, a huge mural on the scoreboard fence reading B. King, and signs and banners supporting the cause adorned Trojan Stadium. Fans showed up ready to cheer wearing their red apparel and everywhere you looked the color was present, it filled one’s heart with joy. Even though the skies let loose close to the end of the game the Trojan faithful stuck around to cheer on their team. In the end the Trojans did their job by defeating the Penn Cambria Panthers 31-8. But the Trojans also did their part in supporting a truly worthwhile cause
