By Bruce Rolfe
A tradition that started eight years ago, has raised thousands of dollars and brought a huge amount of support for local community members battling cancer over the years will continue February 7 at the 8th annual Carol Vick Memorial Basketball game at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
This year’s game is for Paul Barton. The boys JV game starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls and boys games. A ceremony honoring Paul will take place during the varsity boys game against Colon, which will occur at about 8 p.m.
The 2024 Yerby Vick Perseverance Scholarship winners from Climax-Scotts and Colon will also be recognized during the girls varsity basketball game. They are Tyler Smith from Climax-Scotts and Caleb Thaxton from Colon.
When the event started eight years ago, C-S and Colon teamed up to host a Carol Vick Memorial game in Colon and one at C-S, raising money to benefit families within the two communities who have been impacted by cancer.
While it has been a few years since Colon has hosted its own memorial game, event organizer Josh Vick said C-S enjoys Colon’s partnership in the game played at C-S.
Jack Pearl’s will be on site selling apparel. They will set up during the JV boys’ game to sell shirts.
Additional money is raised through a sponsorship program. The money raised for the game goes towards assisting the guest of honor, Paul Barton, for medical bills and is also used to fund the Yerby Vick Perseverance Scholarship winners.
Blue Sponsors ($250 donations)
Kristin Wykoski State Farm, FEMA Corporation, Professional Muffler and Brake, The Groundskeeper, John Vick and family, Climax-Scotts Band Boosters, Bartholomew Heating & Cooling, Professional Muffler & Brake, Myers Farm, Vandegiessen Trucking.
Gold Sponsors ($500 or more)
Lyster Exteriors, Carleton Equipment, Kings Equipment, Scotts Country Store, Jack Pearl’s Team Sports, J&J Sheet Metal, Patterson Milk Hauling, Sturgis Bank & Trust.
The Carol Vick Memorial game is named after former C-S girls varsity basketball coach and current C-S High School teacher Josh Vick’s mother, who was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1995 when Josh was 15 years old. She died six years later after she was told she would live six months.
Below is Paul Barton’s story about his journey with cancer. The information was provided by Paul’s wife Leslie, and put into story format by Josh Vick.
“In September of 2023, Paul Barton was diagnosed with colorectal cancer after expressing concern with some rectal discomfort and urinary issues. He began radiation therapy shortly after in October 2023. In January 2024, he began chemotherapy that lasted until April. Although he had a surgery scheduled with Bronson, he decided to get a second opinion with the University of Michigan. Paul’s wife, Leslie, explained, “we didn’t have a warm, fuzzy feeling regarding the surgery” which prompted going to Michigan. After this meeting, Paul and his family learned that the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs which completely changed his plan moving forward. They elected to postpone his surgery and continue his treatment with Michigan who started him on a new round of chemo: this one more suitable for his cancer and much more aggressive too.
“In September, before starting his second stint of chemotherapy, Paul had surgery to remove two nodules from his right lung. After the surgery, Paul began receiving the new chemo treatments, which lasted until December 2024. Despite these treatments, Paul felt worse than before. On January 14th, Paul had surgery again. This time to remove a tumor from his rectum. The surgery lasted 9 hours.
Paul was in the hospital for 12 days recovering. Now that he is home, Paul will need the next 6 weeks to recover before he will receive more chemotherapy as well as additional surgery on his liver and lungs.
“The American Cancer Society recommends that men aged 45 and older receive regular screenings for colorectal cancer. Now 53 years old, Paul went years ago to be screened for cancer and showed no signs of cancer. He did not return again for another screening, which is something he has expressed regret for not doing. He has recommended that all middle aged men not only get screened for colorectal cancer, but also continue to do so regularly. While it is difficult to prevent colorectal cancer, early detection can help successfully treat the cancer before it grows too large or spreads to other areas of the body.
Paul has already had a tough fight and will continue to have to fight to beat his cancer. Tonight we honor his perseverance and encourage him to keep going! Though the road ahead will be hard, we are here to remind Paul and his family that they are not alone! They have so many friends in this community pulling for him. Tonight and in the months and weeks to come: the C-S and Colon communities are ALL IN FOR PAUL!”
A tradition that started eight years ago, has raised thousands of dollars and brought a huge amount of support for local community members battling cancer over the years will continue February 7 at the 8th annual Carol Vick Memorial Basketball game at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
This year’s game is for Paul Barton. The boys JV game starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls and boys games. A ceremony honoring Paul will take place during the varsity boys game against Colon, which will occur at about 8 p.m.
The 2024 Yerby Vick Perseverance Scholarship winners from Climax-Scotts and Colon will also be recognized during the girls varsity basketball game. They are Tyler Smith from Climax-Scotts and Caleb Thaxton from Colon.
When the event started eight years ago, C-S and Colon teamed up to host a Carol Vick Memorial game in Colon and one at C-S, raising money to benefit families within the two communities who have been impacted by cancer.
While it has been a few years since Colon has hosted its own memorial game, event organizer Josh Vick said C-S enjoys Colon’s partnership in the game played at C-S.
Jack Pearl’s will be on site selling apparel. They will set up during the JV boys’ game to sell shirts.
Additional money is raised through a sponsorship program. The money raised for the game goes towards assisting the guest of honor, Paul Barton, for medical bills and is also used to fund the Yerby Vick Perseverance Scholarship winners.
Blue Sponsors ($250 donations)
Kristin Wykoski State Farm, FEMA Corporation, Professional Muffler and Brake, The Groundskeeper, John Vick and family, Climax-Scotts Band Boosters, Bartholomew Heating & Cooling, Professional Muffler & Brake, Myers Farm, Vandegiessen Trucking.
Gold Sponsors ($500 or more)
Lyster Exteriors, Carleton Equipment, Kings Equipment, Scotts Country Store, Jack Pearl’s Team Sports, J&J Sheet Metal, Patterson Milk Hauling, Sturgis Bank & Trust.
The Carol Vick Memorial game is named after former C-S girls varsity basketball coach and current C-S High School teacher Josh Vick’s mother, who was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1995 when Josh was 15 years old. She died six years later after she was told she would live six months.
Below is Paul Barton’s story about his journey with cancer. The information was provided by Paul’s wife Leslie, and put into story format by Josh Vick.
“In September of 2023, Paul Barton was diagnosed with colorectal cancer after expressing concern with some rectal discomfort and urinary issues. He began radiation therapy shortly after in October 2023. In January 2024, he began chemotherapy that lasted until April. Although he had a surgery scheduled with Bronson, he decided to get a second opinion with the University of Michigan. Paul’s wife, Leslie, explained, “we didn’t have a warm, fuzzy feeling regarding the surgery” which prompted going to Michigan. After this meeting, Paul and his family learned that the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs which completely changed his plan moving forward. They elected to postpone his surgery and continue his treatment with Michigan who started him on a new round of chemo: this one more suitable for his cancer and much more aggressive too.
“In September, before starting his second stint of chemotherapy, Paul had surgery to remove two nodules from his right lung. After the surgery, Paul began receiving the new chemo treatments, which lasted until December 2024. Despite these treatments, Paul felt worse than before. On January 14th, Paul had surgery again. This time to remove a tumor from his rectum. The surgery lasted 9 hours.
Paul was in the hospital for 12 days recovering. Now that he is home, Paul will need the next 6 weeks to recover before he will receive more chemotherapy as well as additional surgery on his liver and lungs.
“The American Cancer Society recommends that men aged 45 and older receive regular screenings for colorectal cancer. Now 53 years old, Paul went years ago to be screened for cancer and showed no signs of cancer. He did not return again for another screening, which is something he has expressed regret for not doing. He has recommended that all middle aged men not only get screened for colorectal cancer, but also continue to do so regularly. While it is difficult to prevent colorectal cancer, early detection can help successfully treat the cancer before it grows too large or spreads to other areas of the body.
Paul has already had a tough fight and will continue to have to fight to beat his cancer. Tonight we honor his perseverance and encourage him to keep going! Though the road ahead will be hard, we are here to remind Paul and his family that they are not alone! They have so many friends in this community pulling for him. Tonight and in the months and weeks to come: the C-S and Colon communities are ALL IN FOR PAUL!”
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