Abby would have graduated last year...

Last year, we raised over $11K in honor of Abby Furco, who we lost on Oct. 19th, 2021. I lost of my father to cancer on Aug. 4th, 2022. On Sunday, Feb. 11th, 2024 we lost his older brother, my uncle, to pancreatic cancer. They were extremely close. The silver lining is that they are together again in peace. We even lost our beloved pet to a cancerous heart tumor this summer.  It is all around us. It has been pretty rough, yet we keep marching forward. I share these experiences because my dad always wanted me to do well in wrestling, but that I had to do even better once my competitive career was over.

So here we are again. We have the great opportunity to honor Abby Furco and all those kids that have battled or are battling childhood cancer.

If you knew Abby, her spirit forced you to be better. There wasn't anything that could bring her down. Not school work, not treatments, not the day to day struggles. She did not want anyone's sympathy, she just wanted everyone around her to do better. She was a fiesty little "coach" that made us all work harder and appreciate all the wondeful things surrounding us! I cannot tell you the impact she left on some of our wrestlers and football players. Those who got to witness some of those days...they know! She did this for the entire community around here. She fought to the end to make the lives of everyone around her better.  Her mother continues the fight by creating this wonderful event to help other parents cope and help her friends honor her and all those who have been impacted by cancer.

We are honored to continue this fight for Abby and to help those battling childhood cancer today and tomorrow. We want them be able to LIVE life through better treatments and to someday never hear the words, your child has cancer.

You can sign up to be a shavee. You can fundraise as well by reaching out to those around you that want to make an impact. You can DONATE, DONATE, DONATE and cheer us on as we shave our heads on March 21st, 2025 at Princess Anne Middle School. Please join our fight!! Email Coach Arnett with any questions at jsarnett@vbschools.com. Go Abby & Kellam Mat Rats!

Coach Arnett