Hokie athletes and pediatric patients team up at Shoes 4 Hope event

This season, Virginia Tech basketball players are stepping up with their own one-of-a-kind sneakers, painted alongside pediatric patients to raise awareness for the fight against childhood cancer.

Cinderella isn’t the only one with fabulous footwear. 

Men’s and women’s Virginia Tech (VT) basketball players recently came together with Carilion Pediatric Hematology-Oncology patients to paint sneakers. The Shoes 4 Hope tradition is in its third year, in an effort to raise awareness about pediatric cancer.

Photo contributed by Virginia Tech

Spreading the world about childhood cancer is incredibly important. The ASK Cancer Foundation, headquartered in Richmond, noted that about 1 in 300 children are diagnosed with cancer before age 20. In Virginia, there wasn’t a single city or county not impacted by childhood cancer, with results available through a study by State Cancer Profiles that took place from 2017-2021. 

Photo contributed by Virginia Tech

To shine a light on pediatric cancer, dozens of children and teens receiving treatment at the Roanoke facility traveled to VT’s Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center in Blacksburg on Dec. 18. There, they gathered with the basketball players to showcase their artistic expression. 

Photo contributed by Virginia Tech

Together, the group customized dozens of pairs of sneakers, each displaying unique and colorful designs by the time the event wrapped up. 

Photo contributed by Virginia Tech

Later in the season, Hokie coaches and basketball staff will wear their bright creations. Be sure to keep an eye out for the women’s basketball game on Jan. 25, where the Hokies will take on Notre Dame at Cassell Coliseum, and tune in for the men’s basketball game on Jan. 30, when VT hosts Clemson.