Aug. 8, 2018
By Matt Paras
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Four years ago, the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team kicked off the Daughters for Dads campaign to honor Irish alumni whose fathers lost their fight to cancer. Each season, the Irish held a Daughters for Dads game in which the proceeds went to Notre Dame’s Harper Cancer Institute. This year, the Irish are expanding the Daughters for Dads footprint and bringing the cause to New England.
“Daughters for Dads is an incredible opportunity to turn grief into action,” said Shoemaker. “I am thankful to Coach Halfpenny for creating this and for allowing me to have such a large part in it as I now have a clear link between my favorite place in the world, the University of Notre Dame, and the cause closest to my heart.”
On August 19, Irish alumna Jordy Shoemaker in conjunction with Jenny and Jake Golic are holding a Daughters for Dads event at Orangetheory Fitness in Hingham, Massachusetts. All proceeds from the Orangetheory class that day will go directly to the Harper Cancer Institute and continue the fight against cancer. For those interesting in attending the class, they are encouraged to email studiomanager0632@orangetheoryfitness.com or by calling the studio at 781-328-1800. For those unable to attend, you can donate directly to the Harper Cancer Institute by texting “D4D” to “91999” or through a link here.
“This particular D4D event is my way of growing this campaign and taking it beyond the confines of Notre Dame’s campus,” stated Shoemaker. “I loved the idea of having the nurses who care for these patients on the frontlines doing something outside of the hospital to combat this disease. Jake and Jenny Golic are two of my dear friends and I knew from day one there was no one else I would rather join forces with than with the Golic’s and Orangetheory Fitness. I have watched them grow their OTF locations into successful, customer-oriented, family-like fitness centers and am not at all surprised by the response they get from their members. Jake and Jenny have an energy that is infectious, a passion for helping others that is inspiring, and a work ethic we all could learn from.”
WHAT: Daughter’s for Dads Fundraising Event
WHEN: Sunday, August 19th, 11:15 a.m.
WHERE: Orangetheory Fitness
15 Shipyard Dr #1b, Hingham, MA 02043
SIGN UP: Email studiomanager0632@orangetheoryfitness.com or call the studio at 781-328-1800
Shoemaker’s father was diagnosed with cancer during her sophomore year and she was faced with a tough decision to stay at Notre Dame or go home and be with her family during the tough time. Shoemaker stayed the course and relied heavily on her Notre Dame family for help managing a rigorous academic and athletic schedule, while simultaneously grappling with her dad’s illness.
Ultimately after four and a half years, Jordy’s father lost his battle to cancer in 2014 but his memory and the memory of the other dad’s that lost their fight lives on through the Daughters for Dads events. Today, Shoemaker is giving her father something to cheer for. A registered nurse at Boston Medical Center, Jordy is giving back to those cancer patients and family members who need the support that she continues to receive.
“Combining the forces of the University of Notre Dame, Boston Medical Center, and the Golic’s Orangetheory seemed like a natural next step for the growth of Daughters for Dads,” said Shoemaker. “As someone who is affiliated with all three organizations, I see first hand how in line the values and mission of each are. I am lucky to be surrounded by others who are committed to serving the underserved while being a force for good within their communities.”
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Matt Paras, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since January 2018. In his role, he coordinates all media efforts for Notre Dame women’s soccer, women’s, lacrosse, baseball and assists in ice hockey. A native of Warwick, Rhode Island, Paras is a graduate of the University of Louisville where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Administration. Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, he worked at Vanderbilt University as the sports information contact for the women’s soccer and lacrosse programs.