NATCHEZ — The Green Wave may have done a pink jersey game for cancer awareness during football season, but Cathedral School didn’t limit its fight against cancer to the football field.

On Wednesday afternoon, the school presented the American Cancer Society with a $6,437 check after various fundraisers throughout the year. Football head coach Ron Rushing said he was glad his team was able to contribute through the Pink Wave Project, which sold T-shirts and wristbands for the cause, in addition to wearing the pink jerseys against Resurrection Catholic Sept. 7.

“Everyone’s been affected by cancer somehow,” Rushing said. “It kind of hits home to everyone. It’s not a seasonal thing, it’s an all-the-time thing.”

Tight end/linebacker Turner Janette also said he was proud of his team for stepping up and raising money to help in the fight against cancer.

“You hear about 6A schools doing it all the time,” Janette said. “For a smaller school to do it, it’s a big deal. It feels good to do something like this, especially if you’ve had cancer in your family, like I have with my grandmother.”

Kathy Prospere, community representative for the American Cancer Society, was on-hand to accept the school’s check Wednesday. She said the students’ fundraising efforts bode well for the future of the community.

“It teaches them leadership,” Prospere said. “When they become adults, hopefully they’ll (still) be involved in the fight against cancer.”

Sherry Kiser, chairperson for the Miss-Lou Relay for Life chapter, was also at Cathedral when the check was presented. Kiser said the fundraising helps give students an appreciation for an important cause.

“It gives the students an awareness of what they can do,” Kiser said.

The fundraising wasn’t limited to the football team. The Emerald Tide dance team sponsored a girls’ used uniform jumper sale. Rushing credited his wife, Kappi, for designing the T-shirts and heading up their sales. Rushing sons, Tate and Kyle, raised $750 over the summer selling lemonade and cookies.

“It’s great,” Rushing said of his sons’ involvement. “Hopefully it will instill some things in them for a later age.”

For Janette, the chance to help raise money was especially important, since he missed the season due to an injury and couldn’t play in the Pink Wave game.

“If I would’ve played, I probably would’ve played 10 times harder, knowing that I’d be playing for a relative or someone I care about,” Janette said.