LOWELL, Mich. — A spaghetti fundraiser took place Friday night at Lowell High School for Shelby and Ben Offrink. They are both fighting different forms of cancer while raising two young girls.
Shelby, a Lowell native, was diagnosed in February 2014 with Grade IV glioblastoma of the spine, one of the rarest forms of cancer. Only a few months later, Ben learned his Hodgkin’s lymphoma had relapsed for a third time since 2002.
The spaghetti fundraiser started at 5:30. It was five dollars a plate to help the family. The fundraiser was called "Hoops for Hope" because Lowell was playing East Grand Rapids Friday night as well. Before the game, East Grand Rapids presented Ben Offrink and his family with a check for 10-thousand dollars. The money was raised by the East Grand Rapids community. Hundreds of people showed up for both the basketball game and the spaghetti dinner.
A YouCaring.com account has been set up in the family’s name, and donations can also be submitted at the Huntington Bank location in on E. Main Street in Lowell.
