Coach Angie Mason-Smith (formerly McKinney) was not only a coach, but also a 4.0 Honors student, earning her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Washington.
In 2009, Mason-Smith was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer and given 2-4 weeks to live. Battling cancer for the fourth time in her life since college, Mason-Smith handled the situation with unwavering strength and humor.
Eastside Catholic’s Athletic Director Stacey Stoutt was inspired by Mason-Smith’s positive attitude and perseverance toward her seemingly never-ending battle. Stoutt asked Mason-Smith to share her story and detail how she leads a life helping others when dealing with the news that she didn’t have much of her own left.
Mason-Smith told The Seattle Times, “I get a lot of credit for my positive attitude, but sometimes I think I just have a false sense of reality. I’m just determined that this is not changing my life.”
Mason-Smith’s willingness to share her story gave Stoutt the idea to create the No One Fights Alone (NOFA) annual volleyball game on Eastside’s home court. A tradition that has continued for over 11 years now, with the 12th annual NOFA game being played on Wednesday 10/18 against Bishop Blanchet.
“This game has a lot of meaning for the coaching staff and faculty since many of us have close family members who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. […] It’s great to see students, parents, and faculty come out and support the cause and share their experiences.”
– Dela Bartol, EC Volleyball Coach
Students are able to purchase NOFA t-shirts from the Eastside Catholic website to show support for people in their lives who may be battling a certain type of cancer or in general support for those who have been affected by the disease.
The shirts come not only in the commonly known pink, symbolizing breast cancer but in a variety of colors that represent over 20 different types of cancer. NOFA is printed on the front of the shirts, and printed on the back is text reading “I play for” along with the type of cancer the color represents.
All profits made from the shirts will go to the NOFA Foundation. Created in 2016 by EC Graduate Kat Towsley, a player in the inaugural NOFA volleyball game, to spread the NOFA mission to other schools.
When asked about selling the shirts, Stoutt told me “It’s more than raising money, Its raising awareness. That’s our main goal.”
Mason-Smith may no longer Coach at Eastside Catholic, but her legacy lives on as we enter the 12th year of this honorable tradition, honoring not only her but anyone else who may be struggling with cancer.
“Usually, we have people stand if they know anyone or have personally been affected by cancer in any way, everyone stands up.” Said Stoutt, “Everyone knows somebody who fought cancer. It affects so many people, so it’s a really good thing to raise awareness for. Everyone has their struggles, you just don’t know what people are struggling with.”
Mason-Smith has since beaten her cancer and now leads the Washington STEM program as their career pathways program director, designing programs to advance STEM education in Washington state.
If you know anyone or have been personally affected by cancer EC encourages you to come support the NOFA Foundation and to honor those who built it, and why they built it.
So in honor of all of those who have been affected by Cancer, and to those who it currently affects, remember this. You can always reach out for help because No One Fights Alone.
If you would like to donate to the foundation or simply learn more, please visit the NOFA Foundation website.
