INDIANA, PA - In an outstanding charity effort, IUP athletics raised over $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the men's and women's basketball games with Gannon this Saturday, and held a special ceremony for Make-A-Wish recipient Spencer Hatfield.

Spencer was born with Hypoplastic Left-Heart Syndrome.  The two left chambers of Spencer's heart did not develop and he was born with only his two right chambers functioning.  Spencer had his first open-heart surgery when he was just two weeks old.

He had additional open-heart surgeries when he was 4 months old and just before he had his second birthday.  All of the restructuring completed during these three surgeries resulted in Spencer being able to live with a two-chamber heart.

Spencer later developed a complication and the third surgery was repeated when he was 4 years-old. Although that surgery was successful, Spencer suffered from a major stroke during the surgery and he lost all movement in the left side of his body. Spencer went through intensive rehabilitation and, in time, was able to move his arm and leg, eventually learning how to walk again.

It was at this time that the Make-a-Wish Foundation asked Spencer if he had a special wish. Spencer wanted to meet Mickey Mouse, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation sent Spencer and his family to Disney World, where Spencer had a magical week.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation truly allows children and their families to enjoy life despite difficult medical circumstances. In all, $1,006.39 was raised during Saturday's basketball games, which will help Make-A-Wish to continue making dreams come true for children and their families.

The IUP Athletic Department is dedicated to giving back to the Indiana Community, and IUP student-athletes strive to make a difference in their neighborhood.