Center Valley, PA (April 6, 2017) – The DeSales University baseball team is teaming with the Northampton Community College baseball team in joining the "Focht Fight" in support of the Edward McCabe Chair in Business at DeSales University, Dr. Jeffrey Focht, in his battle with brain cancer.
 
Donations will be collected at the Bulldogs doubleheader with Eastern University on Saturday, April 15^th with 100% of the contributions given directly to the family of Dr. Focht.
 
Read below a brief story on Dr. Jeffrey Focht's fight.
 
Stitches ... there are 108 of them on a baseball.  They facilitate a grip.  With a pitcher's skill applied, they make the ball spin and curve.

Stitches ... there are many of them on a wound.  They facilitate healing.  With a surgeon's skill applied, they make a body whole again ... or so we hope.

One man knows this all too well.

Dr. Jeff Focht is an assistant professor and the Edward McCabe Chair of Business and Society at DeSales University.  Prior to his teaching in Center Valley, he served as Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Business & Technology and assistant professor of marketing at Northampton Community College. 

And now he's in the fight of his life.

Last Fall, Jeff was diagnosed with viral encephalitis - an infection of the brain.  Then, on New Yea's Eve, he suffered a seizure while out shopping with his wife Wanda. Following almost eight hours of surgery in Philadelphia, a large mass (grade IV glioblastoma) was removed from his brain - and Jeff learned that it was not an infection, but brain cancer, of the most malignant and aggressive kind.

The surgeon stitched up his head, but Jeff's battle had only just begun.

On March 20, 2017 Jeff completed his 30 intensive radiation treatments which had spanned over six weeks.  Now home again, he is undergoing a regimen of chemotherapy at the highest possible levels.

The impact of the treatments has taken a toll .. exhaustion, mini-seizures, nausea and mental fogginess are now part of his everyday routine.  But through it all - and not surprising to those who know him - Jeff's spirits are high.  He is a man of faith, he encourages fellow patients and is fighting his own fight like a warrior.

However, he cannot do it alone.  The costs of continued treatments, further tests and medical consults, along with travel to, and extended stays in Philadelphia, are all adding up. 

Now YOU CAN HELP ... by helping us help Jeff.  The DeSales and Northampton baseball teams are dedicating April 15th as "Jeff Focht Day" at their respective ballparks.

At Butz Field and Spartan Park, donations will be collected to help Jeff's family with spiraling costs.  If you can't make it out to the games, we encourage you to support these efforts by contributing to the "Focht Fight" at either school's athletic office or by going online at https://gofundme.com/thefochtfight.