Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats to Host Lymphoma Awareness Night in Support of Tavarez
10/26/2017 2:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern volleyball team will host a Lymphoma Awareness Night on Nov. 4 vs. Michigan State, in support of redshirt sophomore Kaitlin Tavarez who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in August.
The program is joining forces with the HEADstrong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing essential services to improve lives affected by cancer, in their support of Tavarez. The Wildcat community is invited to visit the HEADstrong fundraising page.
"I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from the entire Northwestern family, especially my teammates, coaches, Haley Zimmerman, Dr. Kristen Abbott, Brian Baptiste, and Dr. Jim Phillips," said Tavarez. "They were able to move mountains. Because of them, we were able to get a diagnosis and plan of action quicker than I ever thought possible."
Tavarez is currently at home in California receiving treatment and taking classes and will miss the 2017 season.
"I wish that I could be in Evanston supporting my teammates, but I am doing everything that I can to recover so that I can get back to volleyball and to Northwestern," Tavarez said. "I can't wait to be back in action!"
Northwestern will be using the hashtag #FightForKT in support of Tavarez and are wearing the lime-green ribbon of lymphoma on their warm-ups all season.
A libero, Tavarez made her Northwestern debut in 2016. In her first career start, she tallied a career-high 17 digs against North Dakota State (Sept. 16). She was a three-time Peninsula League champion in high school at Menlo-Atherton.
The program is joining forces with the HEADstrong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing essential services to improve lives affected by cancer, in their support of Tavarez. The Wildcat community is invited to visit the HEADstrong fundraising page.
"I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from the entire Northwestern family, especially my teammates, coaches, Haley Zimmerman, Dr. Kristen Abbott, Brian Baptiste, and Dr. Jim Phillips," said Tavarez. "They were able to move mountains. Because of them, we were able to get a diagnosis and plan of action quicker than I ever thought possible."
Tavarez is currently at home in California receiving treatment and taking classes and will miss the 2017 season.
"I wish that I could be in Evanston supporting my teammates, but I am doing everything that I can to recover so that I can get back to volleyball and to Northwestern," Tavarez said. "I can't wait to be back in action!"
Northwestern will be using the hashtag #FightForKT in support of Tavarez and are wearing the lime-green ribbon of lymphoma on their warm-ups all season.
A libero, Tavarez made her Northwestern debut in 2016. In her first career start, she tallied a career-high 17 digs against North Dakota State (Sept. 16). She was a three-time Peninsula League champion in high school at Menlo-Atherton.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Players Mentioned
L
/ Women's VolleyballVolleyball - 'Cats Defeat Iowa on Rylen Reid's 27-Kill Night (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
Volleyball - 'Cats Outlast Michigan in Five-Set Thriller (10/16/25)
Friday, October 17
Volleyball - Wildcats Sweep Campbell to Close Non-Conference Play (9/20/2025)
Sunday, September 21
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
Wednesday, September 10
