Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla.—This weekend the Aggies will lace up for more than just another softball game; they will be wearing special, gold-colored shoe laces in support of a very special cause, the fight against pediatric cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Over 15,700 kids are diagnosed with cancer each year, an average of 43 children per day, of which one out of every eight will not survive [Children's Cancer Recovery]. Despite gains in research and therapies, help does not come soon enough for many of the young boys and girls afflicted with this heartbreaking disease, leaving their families suffering in pain from devastating loss.

The Go 4 the Goal Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids with cancer achieve their goals. Their mission is to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, funding innovative research, and granting personal wishes. Go 4 the Goal provides the best practices to patients, their families, and the hospitals and staff that care for them.

In 2011 the G4G Foundation introduced their Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer campaign, a fundraising initiative in which athletic teams purchase gold shoe laces from the organization to wear during games as a show of support and to announce that team's efforts to raise money for the program. Four of the five-dollar cost of the laces, plus 100 percent of donations go back to helping kids with cancer and their families in the area the funds are raised.

OPSU Softball will be wearing these gold laces during their Heartland Conference series with Texas-Permian Basin this weekend and will be collecting donations throughout each of the three games. The team will also be selling Aggie Softball hats and t-shirts, with all proceeds going to the cause. Friday's double-header begins at 1 p.m. and game three will start at Noon on Saturday.

Aggie fans are encouraged to fill the stands for the game and fill the donation buckets with cash and coins to help support Go 4 the Goal and local children battling cancer. For more information on Go 4 the Goal visit www.go4thegoal.org.