Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: Noah's Night
Noah's Night
June 6, 2007
The sounds of applause reached a deafening level Feb. 17 inside the Muncy Gymnasium midway through a men’s basketball game against Williams Baptist College.
But the thunderous—and seemingly endless—ovation had little to do with basketball. It was Noah’s night.
“Words can hardly relay the emotions we felt when we walked into the gymnasium,” said David Donohoo, ’03, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in religion. “The MBU basketball team has been able to make a difference in my family while we’re going through a very difficult situation.”
On Nov. 18, 2005, David and his wife Marnie’s oldest son, Noah, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Doctors told the Donohoos that with radiation Noah, now 11 years old, had between a 50 and 80 percent chance of survival. After undergoing three brain surgeries and six weeks of intensive radiation, Noah’s cancer has been in remission since last June.
Ever since, the Donohoos have been celebrating Noah’s healing. And on Feb. 17, so was a jam-packed Muncy Gymnasium. Hundreds of his fans—from both teams—rose to their feet during halftime to celebrate a boy’s journey that, by all accounts, is far more worthy than even the most important basketball game. And that wasn’t all.
Since the MBU men’s basketball team heard about Noah’s diagnosis nearly 14 months ago, he’s become a source of inspiration for the team, not to mention an honorary starter in the Spartan lineup. Feb. 17 marked the second time in as many years that MBU has declared a varsity basketball game “Noah’s Night.”
“The MBU men’s basketball team is better because of our relationship with Noah,” said Tony Tompkins, head men’s basketball coach. “The obstacles that he has overcome and the courage he has exhibited act as an inspiration for our team.”
As Noah entered the Muncy Gymnasium, he immediately noticed basketball players—from both teams—sporting T-shirts that read “Pray—Give 4 Noah—Believe.” Several months ago, Tompkins personally launched a mission to sell T-shirts in an effort to raise money and support for Noah.
“I was amazed that the other team was actually wearing the T-shirt,” Noah said. “My favorite part was that they let me sit next to the players.”
For David, the night at his alma mater was more than a celebration. It was a blessing.
“These athletes have such an ability to impact people in a very positive way,” David said. “When they called him down to the sideline and put their arm around him. When they rubbed his head. They are role models whether they think they are or not. We just feel truly blessed to be associated with this institution.”
The fruits of Tompkins’ T-shirt sale were presented to the Donohoos at halftime. Through chants of support following an announcement celebrating the cancer’s continued remission, the Donohoos were presented with a $1,000 check.
It was one more blessing that has surfaced throughout an arduous journey filled with faith.
“I always said I couldn’t handle life if something happened to one of my kids,” Marnie said. “The path that God has allowed us down has taught us immeasurable things. Every day is a gift. Every day my feet hit the floor, I praise the Lord for another day with Noah.”
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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