September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, China Spring Athletics is announcing Cougs Against Cancer, an annual campaign to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer.
The campaign is inspired by the life and legacy of former China Spring student Emily Stephens, whose story continues to have a lasting impact on the China Spring community.
Born in 1994, Emily Stephens was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was 4 years old. Throughout her life, she faced extensive and repeated cancer treatments, but through her unwavering spirit, continued to succeed in academia and community involvement.
Emily was captain of the China Spring Electric Blues Dance Team, editor of the yearbook, President of the Waco Chapter of the National Charity League, and valedictorian of the 2012 China Spring senior class. She went on to graduate with honors from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. During her sophomore year, her cancer returned and she was selected to participate in experimental therapy with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The experimental therapy gave her five extra years of life, but the cancer remained, and Emily died in January 2018 at the age of 23.
While she was a student at China Spring, Emily noticed that some students in her community did not have access to basic essential such as clothing, shoes, food and hygiene items. In response, her parents, Brenda and John Stephens, created China Spring Cares, which works to ensure students have access to essentials they need so they can walk into each day feeling supported, confident and seen.
Today, Emily's legacy continues through the work of China Spring Cares, through Team EmilyStrong and through the Cougs Against Cancer campaign.
Emily's mother, Brenda Stephens, will represent Emily, Team EmilyStrong and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the Memphis Marathon on December 5, 2026. The Cougs Against Cancer campaign gives the China Spring community an opportunity to stand alongside her while supporting the work of St. Jude to advance research and treatment for childhood cancer.
How to Participate:
Donate: Click here to make a contribution.
Share the Message: Spread the word to friends and family.
"We are excited to announce the annual Cougs Against Cancer campaign in honor of former student, Emily Stephens," Josh Gregory Athletic Director and Head Football Coach says. "We hope the community joins us in supporting the fight against childhood cancer."
The Cougs Against Cancer campaign begins September 1 and runs through September 30.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.