By JENNIFER BAILEY/Staff Writer

ALABASTER – The Thompson High School tennis team will host a yard sale June 20 from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. in the school cafeteria to benefit one of their teammates who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Elaine Roberts, a 15-year-old Thompson High School student and tennis player, was diagnosed with Metastatic Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) at the end of April 2015. ARMS is a rare and aggressive cancer that is most commonly found in children.

Currently, Elaine Roberts is going through a 54 week chemotherapy and radiation plan to try to eliminate her cancer.

“We expect the chemo to shrink the tumor in her foot to be able to remove it surgically and do as little damage to her foot as possible,” Laura Roberts, Elaine’s mother, said.

Elaine Roberts has met with doctors from MD Anderson cancer center at the University of Texas, but is being treated at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

After her diagnosis, some of the moms of the girls on the tennis team decided they wanted to do something to raise money for the family. The yard sale is one way they plan to help.

The tennis team is accepting donated items to sell in the yard sale. These donated items can be dropped off at the Thompson High School cafeteria on either Thursday, June 18 or Friday June 19 from 1 to 7 p.m. These donations can be items such as clothing, books, furniture, appliances and other things.

Carla Garner, one of the tennis team moms, said that “all of the proceeds from the yard sale are going to help the Roberts family.”

“This yard sale is a true act of love,” Laura Roberts said. “I’ve known how amazing these women are because I have seen how wonderful their children are so I’m overwhelmed, yes, by their generosity but not surprised by the heart and character of these ladies.”

The tennis team members and their moms hope to do other things to help the Roberts family as well.

“We are hoping to set up a fund at Regions and when the school year starts, we hope to sell t-shirts and bracelets,” Garner said.

 

Elaine Roberts’ story can be found online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/elaineroberts. Laura Roberts posts regular updates about Elaine’s treatment and condition.