GC's Derek Sutherland and Rahnyae Stephens visit Balboa Naval Medical Center to share the G-House experience with an old classmate diagnosed with cancer.
El Cajon, CA November 2, 2018
On Thursday, November 1, Grossmont's freshman safety Derek Sutherland, and freshman wide receiver Rahnyae Stephens visited the Balboa Naval Medical Center to share the G-House experience with Damon Hogan, Sutherland's old classmate from Twentynine Palms High. Damon Hogan was recently diagnosed with stage four Burkitts Lymphoma.
Hogan's mother, Jeanette Hogan, states, "My son and Derek attended the same high school together, but their paths didn't cross often. Derek had received news from people back home about my son and wanted to visit. We coordinated and he arrived. He presented Damon with a great shirt and two huge buckets of candy, along with three signed cards from the coaches and teammates."
Sutherland and Stephens visited Hogan for three hours, talking with him about Grossmont College, its programs, football and life. According to Jeanette Hogan, "Rahnyae [told] us that when he found out about my son having cancer, he shaved off all of his hair for Damon, so that he can relate and be supportive of him."
Stephens stands at 5'10, 165 lbs. and graduated from Valhalla high. He holds seven receptions for 105 yards this season, averaging 35 yards per game, 15 yards per catch and has scores one touchdown.
Sutherland stands at 6'0, 180 lbs. and graduated from Twentynine Palms high. He holds 16 solo tackles this season, seven assists, five interceptions and one touchdown.
For more information on Sutherland and Stephens, please contact:
Samantha Seiders
Sports Information, Grossmont College
samantha_seiders@gcccd.edu