KENNESAW, Ga. - In just two weeks, Kennesaw State volleyball will again host its highly anticipated sixth annual Griffin's Game when the Owls meet Clemson on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 pm in the Convocation Center.

Named in honor of head coach Keith Schunzel and volunteer assistant Briana Schunzel's son, Griffin, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, the KSU volleyball team selects a family to honor and support in order to help with their expenses in their fight against childhood cancer.
 
The Schunzels received an overwhelming amount of support when Griffin was diagnosed in March of 2015 and they, along with the volleyball program and the KSU athletic department want to be able to give that same level of support to a local family dealing with the same struggle.
 
This year, Griffin's Game will honor 14-year-old Elijah Ramirez from Marietta, Georgia. "Every Griffin's Game is special, very personal for Bri and myself, and is a way for us to open our arms, hearts and wallets to help and love on a local family," said Schunzel. "This year we're honoring and raising money for a special young man, Elijah Ramirez, and his family.

"Elijah and his family's world has been turned upside down in the past year, and despite the many challenges and brutal times he's had to fight through, he and his family have kept an optimistic outlook on life and have such a positive spirit about them. It is truly our honor to host this year's game for Elijah, and try to pass on some of the love and support that Bri, Griffin and I felt during our battle with this terrible disease."
 
 On August 23, 2020 at exactly 11:44am, Elijah was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. What started as headaches and feeling lightheaded for a week quickly escalated to a fever and difficulty breathing. After a COVID test and bloodwork, Elijah was rushed to the CHOA ER for further care and diagnosed with cancer.

He was admitted to the ICU where he spent two days receiving blood and platelet transfusions. Then Elijah was transferred to the cancer floor at Scottish Rite where his family was made aware that Elijah was not going to be able to see his three brothers or family for the next 30 days due to COVID. It was a difficult time. Fortunately, Elijah met so many others during his stay who were on the same journey through treatment, who he and his parents now love and call family.

During Elijah's first year of treatment, he encountered several rare side effects such as temporary paralysis, severe spine fractures and weakening of the bone tissue. Elijah encountered so much pain, both physically and emotionally, but it has never stopped him from praying every night and still having the energy and courage to keep fighting. Elijah is now on his 3rd month of long-term maintenance and is so happy to be back in school. He has recovered most of his bone strength, which allows him to ride his scooter again. Elijah enjoys playing pretend with his little brothers (Nicholas age 4 and Liam age 2) and has found a new deep love for cars just like his big brother (Noah age 17).

Help us support Elijah and his family by marking your calendars for this year's Griffin's Game as well as donating and/or purchasing a shirt on our donation page HERE.

For updates on Griffin's Game, as well as ways to donate, be sure to regularly check KSUOwls.com or follow Kennesaw State volleyball on twitter at @KSUOwlsVB or like Kennesaw State volleyball on Facebook and Instagram.