For the past couple of years the badminton program has been joining many of the spring sports in the Pink Out to raise money for the Susan G. Komen organization. However, this year they have decided to split away from the Pink Out event and instead create a new one: Orange Crush.

“We encourage our guests to actually participate in the sport (as opposed to just watching) by getting on the floor with a racket in their hand and playing against girls on the team, or just having a friendly rally with other guests,” Coach Bryan Hamilton said. “Also, a member of our program has leukemia, so we thought it would be more appropriate to align ourselves with that cause. The color theme for leukemia is orange.”

Katie Palermo ‘17 was diagnosed with Leukemia for the first time shortly after becoming involved with the badminton program through a summer camp before seventh grade. Then she was diagnosed again this year after being on the team last year. The team decided to support Palermo by donating the money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The cancer ribbon color for leukemia is orange, hence the Orange Crush change.

“I’d been told that I would always be part of the badminton team, even when I am not able to play,” Palermo said. “But I had no idea that they would go so far as in changing the Pink Out to the Orange Crush and having it be in support of my second fight.”

To get into the event people were suggested to donate $10 at the door. The team also sold shirts before spring break for $15 that paid for the shirt and also an entry into the event.

“It is extremely unfortunate that Palermo is in this position, but the girls throughout the program have rallied to her cause because it is a personal connection for them,” Hamilton said.

Palermo planned to attend the event and possibly take on a few players in a match, she said. The check that the team will donate will be from Palermo and all of the players that participated in the event, Head Coach Susan McClenahan said.

The first annual Lyons Township High School Orange Crush event was hosted on April 16 in the NC upper gyms by the girls badminton program. Throughout the duration of the three hour event, both gyms were buzzing with students, staff and family members all excited to make a difference. Participants included principal Brian Waterman and math teacher Paul Labbato. In all, the money made from selling close to 300 T-shirts, raffle tickets, and a $10 suggested donation at the door totaled $3,925. All of the proceeds from last week’s event will be donated to the American Leukemia and Lymphoma society in Katie Palermo’s ‘17 name. Palermo was a member of the freshman girls badminton team last year and would have been on the junior varsity team this year if her health had permitted. She was not able to attend the event due to her illness, but the players would like her to know that she is still a resounding part of the program.

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