The University of Oregon’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), in conjunction with the program Athletes Living as Role Models (ALARM), has chosen 10-year-old Dallin Cone to be the beneficiary of their annual Duckling Project, which provides support and financial assistance for kids and their families in a time of need that often involves medical misfortunes.
Dallin Cone lives and breathes Duck basketball. After all, he is your typical 10-year-old, sport-loving boy. But on June 18th, 2007, Dallin’s normal world was rocked by a sudden onset of seizure. After a terrifying ambulance ride and a subsequent MRI and CT scan of Dallin’s brain, doctors discovered a juvenile Grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma tumor. Doctors removed the tumor, but Dallin developed DRESS syndrome in reaction to the medication. Throughout the year, ALARM will collect monetary donations for Dallin’s family to help defer the costs of the medical expenses, starting this weekend.
SAAC and A.L.A.R.M. will also participate in an annual toy drive benefiting the Marine’s Toys for Tots program. Fans are asked to bring brand new, unwrapped toys to chosen Oregon Athletic events. They are then donated to the Marines and delivered to needy kids in the community for the holidays.
Oregon’s student-athletes will be collecting donations and toys at the volleyball match versus Oregon State on Friday, November 16, as well as the women’s basketball game on Nov. 29 and the men’s basketball game on Dec. 11. Duckling donations will also be collected by student-athletes in the Moshofsky Center prior to the Civil War Football game on December 1.
The Duckling Program has been in existance for five years and has raised over $8,000 for previous Ducklings Bailey Santana, the younger sister of track athlete Amanda Santana, and Mason May.
SAAC is an organization that provides student-athletes the opportunity to communicate with administration on local and national issues affecting student-athletes and encourages the participation of student-athletes in activities to serve the campus community and community-at-large. The ALARM program provides a forum for students to participate directly in community service programs.
If you have questions about the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Duckling Program, please call the University of Oregon Athletics Student Services office at (541)346-5367.
