2023 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero Award winner, Gianna Dubiel

 

SAGERSTRONG FOUNDATION
HOMETOWN HERO AWARD

The SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero program The SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero program honors a pediatric leukemia patient annually that embodies everything the SagerStrong Foundation stands for: perseverance, strength and, above all, courage. The program was created in Craig Sager’s memory to inspire and “lift up” young patients in their fight to know they have so many others “fighting” in their corner with them. We are humbled to honor young cancer thrivers and survivors each year at our SagerStrong Foundation Stadium Fun Run — which is normally held in or around blood cancer awareness month in September.

Our Hometown Heroes

2023 – Gianna Dubiel

We are proud to announce that Gianna Dubiel is the 2023 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero!  Here is Gianna’s story — told by Gianna:
 
2022 was challenging. Nothing short of that. On June 24th I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. When first hearing that I have cancer, the  only thing in my head was fear for my life. But with the right attitude and people to help you, you come to learn that this journey is all up to you, and what you make of it. That’s not to say it’s easy at all, but it’s unbelievable how much I have learned that a positive outlook goes such a long way with this journey.
For a long story short, as for my journey. In March of 2022, I found a lump right above my collar bone. Over the following months more lumps kept appearing on both sides of my neck.  Here comes June, with a biopsy and surgery later I received my diagnosis. Shortly after I was told I have stage 3 and need maximum dosage of chemotherapy. So I began treatment as soon as I could. I started treatment in July 2022.  I am extremely fortunate and blessed, at the first half of my treatment my scan showed there was no more evidence of the lymphoma . Finally in early 2023, I  got to ring the bell!!!
I am fortunate to be back at Georgia College now, as a sophomore.
 
**You are a warrior, Gianna–congratulations on being named this year’s Hometown Hero!

2022 – Addison Bulloch

Congratulations to our 2022 SagerStrong Hometown Hero – Addison Bulloch! of Hoschton, Georgia! In addition to being named the 2022 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero, Bulloch, a 9th grade student at West Jackson Middle School, will receive $2500 in scholarship award monies, made possible through the SagerStrong Foundation and the Oliver Family.

Addison is a pediatric cancer survivor, currently in middle school in Jackson County. Addison had pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 3 ½. Addison fought for 2 ½ years – and is in remission now. Read more about Addison, her cancer journey, and how she and her family are now staying #SagerStrong and sharing their strength with other through their Cape Free Connection HERE

2021 – Jensen Oliver

Congratulations to our 2021 SagerStrong Hometown Hero – Jensen Oliver! Thank you to Rand Refrigeration for the $3500 scholarship to make the award possible, and to individual donors Heather Roe and Karl Kaiser.

Jensen is a student at Bells Ferry Elementary.  She is a thriver, for sure— diagnosed in 2017 and enduring intense chemotherapy to battle Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for over two years, and coming through it all with an amazing attitude.  She has been inspired by her experience and said she is thinking about becoming a doctor, now.  We’d like to introduce to you, our Hometown Hero, Jensen!

Read more about Jensen HERE:

2020 – Kale Corbett

Kale Corbett, a Senior at Tallulah Falls School is our 2020 Hometown Hero Award winner — Due to the pandemic, Kale will be honored at the 2021 SagerStrong Stadium Fun Run at Truist Park (August 2021) and a Braves game in September 2021. Thanks to Rand Refrigeration, Kale will receive a $2500 scholarship gift now to the college or trade school of his choice, as inspiration to continue keeping strong!

To learn more about Kale and his story, please click HERE

2019 – Peyton White

The first SagerStrong Hometown Hero Award winner — Peyton White, a Woodstock High School student–  was honored at the first SagerStrong Stadium Fun Run at the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park on August 25, 2019.   Peyton was invited out to the game with her family, was recognized at the run and the game as the Award winner, and participated in the run with us.

To learn more about Peyton and her story, please click HERE

 

How to Apply for the SagerStrong Hometown Hero Award

Nominations for the 2024 Hometown Hero Award are open.

Click HERE to apply.

2022 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero Award winner, Addison Bullock.

 

2021 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero Award winner, Jensen Oliver.

 

Kale Corbett, our 2020 Hometown Hero Award winner with SagerStrong Foundation President, Stacy Sager.

2019 SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero Award winner, Peyton White, with SagerStrong Foundation President, Stacy Sager.

 

$2500 Scholarship to the recipient; Thanks to SagerStrong Foundation!

The SagerStrong Foundation Hometown Hero Award winner will also receive a scholarship gift, to the college or trade school of their choice, as inspiration and a promise for keeping strong in their fight to beat blood cancer.

Please support the SagerStrong Hometown Hero Scholarship here