Beyond Football: How Our Rivalry is a Mission of Hope and Care for Families Facing Cancer

When the Spring Lake Lakers and Grand Haven Buccaneers meet on the football field this Thursday, the energy in the stands will be electric. After 37 years without a varsity matchup, the return of this historic rivalry is a major moment for both communities. Yet, as players lock in and fans fill the bleachers, a much larger story will be unfolding on the sidelines—one that proves that even the fiercest competition bows to human compassion.

Thursday night’s clash serves as Grand Haven’s annual BUCS Pride game, an initiative centered around unity, hope, and raising funds for Bluebird Cancer Retreats of West Michigan. While the Lakers are fighting for a win on the field, our entire district is proud to stand alongside our neighbors across the river to support a mission that touches lives far beyond the scoreboard.

Football gives us a reason to celebrate, but nights like this inspire us to do something far greater: care more, give more, and love deeper.

Krista’s Story

To understand the profound impact of Bluebird Cancer Retreats, one only needs to look into the home of Krista Brennfoerder.

Krista is a mother of three Lakers—two at Jeffers Elementary and one at Spring Lake Intermediate School. At age 40, her family's world shifted when she received a breast cancer diagnosis on August 2, 2023.

What followed was an arduous, month-after-month gauntlet of medical interventions. Krista underwent a mastectomy on September 6, 2023, followed by 16 exhausting rounds of chemotherapy spread over 20 weeks.

"Every Friday at 10:00 a.m., I’d show up to the same nurse, Hannah," Krista remembers. "I’d choose my chair by the window where they would take blood through my port. Once stats came back, they’d administer Benadryl and steroids, and the chemo would start. I always fell asleep for part of it due to the Benadryl, and I iced my hands and feet the entire time to help prevent permanent neuropathy. Some say it helps. When chemo finished, I’d go to lunch with whoever brought me, and then go home to rest."

After completing chemo on February 23, 2024, Krista endured a month of radiation from late March to late April. Her journey continues with regular appointments and cancer prevention medications, including a hormone blocker she’ll take for the next 10-15 years.

Through every appointment, physical therapy session, and side effect, Krista leaned on an unwavering foundation: her faith in God, her husband—who served as her rock—her parents, siblings, and an incredible network of friends and neighbors.

"We See You, We Care About You"

Cancer introduces a mountain of hidden burdens. Beyond the physical toll, families face endless scheduling logistics, lost time, emotional fatigue, and significant out-of-pocket expenses for travel and care.

"Cancer brings so many losses and so many needs," Krista explains. "Your responsibilities don't go away just because you're sick. Having a community step in and say, 'We see you, we care about you,' made the journey bearable."

The Spring Lake community surrounded the Brennfoerder family with tangible love. Friends sat through four-hour chemo sessions and managed childcare so Krista could rest. An orthodontist friend provided specialized mouthcare supplies to protect her teeth during treatment. Local groups like the Jeffers Parent Organization showed up unexpectedly to rake her lawn, while Jeffers moms dropped off care baskets, gift cards, and meals.

"It was just kind graces," Krista says. "Our community did a great job caring for me."

The Healing Power of Bluebird

While family and friends provide essential love, cancer can still feel uniquely isolating.

"Cancer was lonely at times because no one could do a chemo treatment for me," Krista shares. "No one could fully understand finding out I’d need a monthly injection for the next decade. But the survivors at Bluebird knew what it was like. Meeting with others who understood the journey was validating and life-giving."

Bluebird Cancer Retreats provides cost-free Individual Retreats, Caregiver/Survivor Retreats, and Family Camps to individuals navigating a diagnosis. The organization was born from the vision of Bill Timm, a local resident who attended a cancer retreat in North Carolina and dreamt of bringing that same sanctuary home to West Michigan. Though Bill passed away in 1994, his wife, Robin, alongside their pastor, Reverend Peter Theune, brought his dream to life.

Today, Bluebird is such a rare and vital non-profit resource that participants regularly cross state lines just to attend. Through an ongoing partnership with BUCS Pride, Bluebird also funds care bags given directly to local residents upon receiving a new cancer diagnosis.

In April 2024, right as her radiation wrapped up, Krista attended a Bluebird Individual Retreat. For a weekend, she was pampered, served delicious meals, gifted care packages, and given space to simply rest.

Later that summer, in August 2024, the entire Brennfoerder family traveled to Double JJ Ranch for Bluebird’s Family Camp.

"The whole family feels cancer," Krista notes. "It was so important for us to have an opportunity to spoil our kids after everything they walked through alongside us."

Winning Together: How You Can Support

Rivalries bring excitement, energy, and school pride—and Thursday night’s game against Grand Haven will be a night to remember. But as we cheer from the stands, let us remember the heart behind the big game.

"Rivalries are great, and school pride is fun—but at the end of the day, we’re all people doing our best to get through the good and hard of life," says Krista. "Caring for each other lifts individual spirits and builds a stronger, more connected community. Because God loves us, we are called to love those around us." 

Bluebird Cancer Retreats operates so that every retreat, support group, and care bag remains 100% free to families facing cancer. This year, the fundraising goal surrounding the big game is $20,000. Thanks to community yard sign sales and direct gifts, approximately $6,000 has been raised so far—leaving a meaningful gap that our combined communities can help close.

Whether you are wearing red and grey or blue and gold on Thursday night, you can make a direct impact in the lives of local cancer survivors and their families.

How to Give:

• Donate Online: Support local families directly by making a contribution at the Bluebird Cancer Retreats Donation Portal.

• Look for Yard Signs: Keep an eye out for Bluebird fundraising signs around town during game week.

Let’s pack the stands, bring the noise, and show West Michigan what happens when two rival towns unite for a greater purpose.