In an effort to help the search for a cure for childhood cancer, the Central College baseball team has announced its Strike Out Cancer Campaign.

The campaign, organized by Central assistant coach Jordan Stauber, will last the duration of the 2012 season. It was created to raise awareness and provide financial support to childhood cancer research. Supporters can pledge to donate a given amount for each strikeout Dutch pitchers record this spring. Last year’s pitching staff racked up 235 strikeouts.            

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our players to be involved in something where they can have an impact on helping others,” said Central head coach Adam Stevens. “We are really excited to get this started.”

All money raised from the campaign will go to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a non-profit organization that has funded more than 200 research projects at more than 65 institutions across the country.

The Dutch baseball program has an alumni connection with cancer research. Adam Duerfeldt, the 2006 Iowa Conference MVP and CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree who led Central to a share of the league title, received the Madison and Lila Self Fellowship to study cancer research at the University of Kansas. He’s a member of the Blagg Research Group at Kansas, an Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation Fellow and a Sanofi-Aventis AFPE Pre-doctoral Fellow. A Duerfeldt essay on what inspired him to choose this career path is at http://central-k-cancer.tumblr.com/.

Central’s Strike Out Cancer Campaign has already been a hit on Twitter and Facebook. On Twitter, @CentralKCancer already has more than 180 followers. Several Major League Baseball players and managers have passed along the campaign message. Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez and Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta have mentioned the campaign on their Twitter accounts.

Those wishing to join the Central College baseball team’s attempt to strike out cancer can visit the campaign website and donate a flat amount, or send an e-mail to stauberj@central.edu with the desired pledge amount. At the conclusion of the 2012 season an e-mail with a link to the campaign website will be sent to complete the donation.