Rutgers Women's Basketball Loses One of Its Own
Apr 24 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers women's basketball team lost a member of its extended family with the passing of Kiersten Hickman-Perfetti on Wednesday. After a four-year battle with cancer, the 22-year old died peacefully at her home in Highland Park.
Kiersten, a life-long fan of the Scarlet Knights who attended both of the team's Final Four showings, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in August of 2004. The fast-growing, highly malignant tumor forced the teenager to experience over 80 rounds of chemotherapy, 72 days of radiation, close to 70 hospitalizations, two major surgeries involving her brain and open heart surgery.
Kiersten, who played basketball at Goucher College in Baltimore prior to her illness, attended Stringer's annual summer camps for seven years. Kirsten served as an honorary captain for the Scarlet Knights this past Feb. 5. On that evening, RU bested then No. 1 Connecticut, 73-71. The squad lifted Kiersten on their shoulders after the thrilling win.
She is survived by her parents, Larry and Mimi and a brother, Keith.
A public viewing will be held Sunday, April 27, at the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 South Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A memorial service will also be held Sunday, May 4, at the Kirkpatrick Chapel on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick at 2:00 p.m..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kiersten's memory for cancer research to Kier's Kidz Lemonade Stand c/o Alex's Lemonade Stand, 333 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite #414, Wynnewood, Pa. 19096, (866-333-1213).
