"Keep the Faith" and Support Families Battling Pediatric Cancer

"Keep the faith" is a phrase we've all likely heard at some point.

In Oswego it's beginning to mean much more.

In May of this year OHS graduate and cheerleader Faith Robinson, 19, passed away after a battle with leukemia. Friends and family took to social media to share what Faith meant to them and share fond memories of who many called "an inspiration."

And her mom, Crystal Robinson, wants to continue that legacy of inspiration.

While browsing online, Robinson discovered a t-shirt with the phrase "Faith Family Football" and "liked" the photo. 

Within a few hours and a few tags of friends later, Robinson said she had friends "clamoring" to buy the shirt. And that's when it all began.

"I got to thinking about the Crosstown game coming up, [and] it was September, which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness month and suddenly, it all came together, my 'glimpse of Faith'," said Robinson.

Working with Cathie Kearby of Kearby Creations and the Oswego High School cheerleading coach Kristin Wilson, they decided to make the shirts and donate the money towards families battling pediatric cancer.

They sold 325 shirts.

The effort came together at the Crosstown Cup last Friday when audience members on both sides of the field wore the shirt and both high school's cheer teams performed a routine at halftime wearing the shirt.

Cheerleaders also made ribbons of orange, navy, silver and yellow-gold (the color for pediatric cancer awareness) and sold them to raise funds - over $500 to date. 

Robinson is trying to continue to spread the faith amongst the entire Oswego community and is accepting t-shirt orders through Oct. 10. Shirts cost $20 and anyone interested in purchasing will need to fill out the order form found here.

Robinson is hoping to make this a yearly event as part of the Crosstown game to bring together the schools.

But for now, just be sure to "keep the Faith."