Men's Basketball | 1/29/2020 8:20:00 AM

MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) is raising money for Make-A-Wish by selling Wish Stars and suckers along with the red bucket donation challenge on Friday, Jan. 31 at the men's and women's basketball games against Minnesota State Mankato.  There will be a check presentation with Papa John's who is the game sponsor and has pledged to match $1,000 for Make-A-Wish.

The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is the primary student-based group that contributes to policy-making for the division, established a Make-A-Wish partnership in 2003 and has since become one of the foundation's largest and most consistent contributors.

"Make-a-Wish is such a special organization and near and dear to my heart," MSUM SAAC member Jill Safranski said. "My high school golf coach always told us there is nothing more humbling than the pediatrics unit in a hospital. He beat childhood cancer, and is a hero of mine. Along with my coach, I love helping with this event to honor my friend, Gracie. Her legacy inspires me everyday. Kids with life threatening diseases are the type of strong that we all try to be. We can't always change the disease, but  Make-A-Wish gives them a chance to see some of their dreams come true. I am so thankful to be apart of a fundraiser as special as this."

This annual fundraising initiative is spearheaded by NCAA Division II and the NSIC to raise money for Make-A-Wish through various events led by SAAC.    During the 2018-19 academic year, Division II schools raised $398,000 for Make-A-Wish as part of their ongoing partnership. Division II schools have raised more than $6.2 million and granted more than 740 wishes since 2003.