A mother is holding her newborn child intimately in a hospital bed, unaware that her child will soon be fighting the invisible battle of Pediatric Cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 9,600 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with it in 2024, which is why the Wildcat Care Club is taking action.

“(We are) focusing on Pediatric Cancer, of course.” Mitzi Keane, club sponsor said, “And making people aware of what Lurie Children’s Hospital actually does.”

Lurie’s is located in Chicago and is ranked as one of the ten best children’s hospitals in Illinois.

“This will be our first year actually going to the hospital and it’s going to be in April and we are going to donate a check to them in person.” Keane said.

Previously, the club has held two fall events with all ages being welcomed with a bingo night and other fundraisers.

“We had a restaurant night already which went really well at Portillo’s.” Keane said.

The club has been under Keane’s sponsorship for three years, yet the creation of the club occurred when she was still a coach.

“2017 was the year it (Wildcat Care Club) was created.”  Keane said, “And then we just kind of kept going with it from there.”

Stepping down from her coaching position had not only been beneficial for her two children, but this was also Keane’s chance to spread awareness of Pediatric Cancer by sponsoring the club.

“I felt like this could be my way of staying a part of Plainfield because I wasn’t coaching anymore.” Keane said.