Tennis team plans fundraiser for young cancer patient Feb. 3

The women’s tennis team will be holding a “Trains for Shay Day” cancer fundraiser during their season-opening match against Winona State Friday, Feb. 3, at the Winona Tennis Center.

Shaymus “Shay” Guinn is the son of former SMU women’s soccer coach Tony Guinn. The 10-year-old has been courageously battling a rare form of bone cancer called Ewings Sarcoma for the past three years. This year, Shaymus was also diagnosed with a form of Leukemia called “ALL.” This form of leukemia was caused by the years of radiation Shaymus has had to undergo.

Shaymus’ 11th birthday is coming up on Feb. 23, and the SMU women’s tennis team is joining forces with Western Illinois University, where Tony Guinn is currently serving as the head women’s soccer coach, to make this the best birthday ever. In recognition of Shaymus’ love for trains, the Cardinals have decorated one of several hundred paper train carts that will be assembled into “the biggest, strongest, most unique train ever made.”

From 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, members of the Cardinals women’s tennis team will be hosting a table during the SMU-WSU match for anyone wishing to contribute monetarily, or to sign SMU’s “Train for Shay.” All proceeds will be given to the Guinn family to help with their mounting hospital costs.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Jeff Halberg, Ext. 8711, or e-mail jhalberg@smumn.edu.