The Nonnewaug High School football team is set to channel its competitive spirit into a powerful act of solidarity on Friday night, hosting Naugatuck at 7 p.m. for a New England Valley (NVL) contest that doubles as a critical fundraiser for Jonathan Cheung. Cheung, a member of the Class of 2026, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia just three days after his Senior Night game on Thanksgiving Eve of 2024. Currently a patient at Connecticut Children’s Hospital, Cheung has undergone severe complications, losing both hands and feet to sepsis, and his compromised immune system prevents him from receiving visitors.
A community unites as the Chiefs honor a Class of 2026 standout battling rare leukemia.
The emotional weight of the event is amplified by Cheung’s prior history as a top-tier fundraiser within the school. During the 2024-25 academic year, he led the “Nonnewaug Cancer Crusaders” team, alongside Billy Herr and Brayden Whipple, in raising over $58,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their efforts earned the group first place in the Society’s Student Visionaries contest, securing an invitation to the spring gala. Now, the roles have reversed, with the entire school community rallying around the young man who once championed the cause, transforming a standard Friday night game into a vital support mechanism.
This Friday’s matchup against Naugatuck serves as the centerpiece for the community’s ongoing support for Cheung. While the specific details of the in-game fundraiser remain focused on immediate financial aid for his care, the initiative underscores the deep personal connection between the player and his peers. As the Chiefs take the field, the game transcends athletic competition, becoming a testament to the resilience of the Nonnewaug community and its unwavering commitment to standing by one of its own during his most challenging battle.
Source: Yahoo Sports
