Garnet Litherland, left, and team mates

November 3, 2003 - Anyone that has been around hockey players and their families knows that they are a very close knit group, and that closeness isn't just limited to a few players on one team, that crosses over many boundaries, and when one player from another team needs help, these people come together to do whatever that they can whether they know that player personally or not. So at this time the Illini Hockey Club would like to reach out and ask family, friends, and fans to help out another player that has worn Illinois proudly on her jersey and represented the Women's Ice Hockey Club well as MVP and Captain. That player is Garnet Litherland. Garnet is a Senior and has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She is currently hospitalized and is receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, that must continue over the next three years.

During the weekends of November 7th-8th (Michigan-Dearborn) and November 15th-16th (Western Michigan), the Illini Hockey Club will be helping to raise money for Garnet and the ever mounting hospital bills. Illini hockey players will be walking around the Ice Arena with donation boxes and would greatly appreciate any monitary help you can provide. We ask that you give with your heart and help Garnet overcome this setback. It is important that we do all we can to help her in any way possible and show her what a great famliy the Illinois Hockey family is. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity to the Garnet Litherland Leukemia Fund.