BATON ROUGE — The story of LSU soccer star Robyn DesOrmeaux, who was diagnosed with a rare form of malignant cancer, will be one of the featured segments on the national broadcast of “FSN Across America”, which will air in Baton Rouge on FSN Southwest, cable channel 38, on Saturday, April 30 at 12:30 p.m.
In addition, the 30-minute weekly national sports magazine program, which reaches more than 78 million homes, will replay on Monday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. The DesOrmeaux feature was originally aired on the Southwest Sports Report on March 9.
DesOrmeaux, 23, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma following the end of her senior season last fall and is currently undergoing treatment at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. A four-year starter for the Tigers at goalkeeper, she ranks second in LSU history in career saves and shutouts. In 2003, she was named the team’s defensive MVP and was selected to the All-Louisiana Soccer team.
FSN Southwest correspondent Patti Smith spent several days last week with DesOrmeaux while she was being treated at M.D. Anderson and documented her courageous battle with cancer through the help of her family, friends and teammates. Her most recent doctor’s report was promising and she is scheduled to soon begin round seven of chemotherapy, which will require hospitalization.
A donation fund has been established through Bank One to help offset the extraordinary expenses associated with her treatment. Tiger fans who want to make a financial donation to help in her fight against cancer can make their checks payable to the Robyn DesOrmeaux Donation trust at any Louisiana Bank One location or contact the LSU Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills office at (225) 578-7402.
In February, members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council held a talent show featuring members of several of the LSU athletics teams. The talent show raised over $4,000 for the donation fund. The money was raised through ticket sales topping 900 and through individual donations.
For more information on DesOrmeaux or to send Robyn an encouraging message, fans can visit her website at www2.caringbridge.org/la/robyn.