AMHERST, N.Y. - Daemen College Head Women's Basketball Coach Jenepher Banker announced the addition of a special member to the program as AnnaRose Van Sciver of Tonawanda, N.Y. was formally introduced during a signing ceremony Wednesday at Lumsden Gymnasium.
AnnaRose comes to Daemen through a partnership with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses. Core to their model is harnessing the power of teamwork by matching these courageous kids with college athletic teams. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto local college athletic teams and, to the greatest extent possible, become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond. AnnaRose's signing was presented by Tompkins Bank of Castile, the official corporate sponsor of Daemen's Team IMPACT program.
"We were virtually introduced to AnnaRose last winter, and we're thrilled to finally be in a place where we could safely host her on campus and officially welcome her to our basketball family," Banker said. "The theme for our upcoming season is 'whatever it takes', and I can't think of a person that better exemplifies that than AnnaRose. She does whatever it takes every day, so I know she'll be a great presence around our players."
AnnaRose has experienced health complications since her birth, specifically related to a serious heart condition. She received a heart transplant at the age of nine, and has twice beaten lymphoma diagnoses that affect transplant recipients.
Despite the circumstances, AnnaRose has developed into a courageous teenager. She enjoys drawing and creating artwork. She loves animals, especially cats, dogs, wolves and foxes, and she would like to work with animals when she's older.
The Daemen women's basketball program is the fourth to announce the addition of a Team IMPACT child in 2021. In July, Daemen Athletics entered into a formal partnership with Team IMPACT, committing to maintaining or increasing its current level of Team IMPACT participation.
Team IMPACT is the only national nonprofit that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Team IMPACT also serves as a therapeutic program that complements a child's medical treatments, as they develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
Since its inception in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched over 2,000 children with collegiate teams at over 700 institutions in 49 states, reaching over 60,000 student-athletes — all of whom come together to ensure no child is sidelined.
If you know a child who may be interested or to learn more how to get involved, visit www.teamimpact.org for more information.
Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 18 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.
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