Post-Gazette – Written by Joe Koch on Sunday, 21 September 2014
Fox Chapel High field hockey and girls lacrosse coach Jen McCrady has achieved many fulfilling moments in her 42 years. That includes being a wife, mother and coach.
Another achievement is the successful bout with cervical cancer that has allowed her to remain cancer-free since 2004. To commemorate that event and to make an impact on the battle being waged by people currently fighting the disease, McCrady went well out of her comfort zone this past Wednesday when she, assistant coach Abby Dorrance and about 60 other like-minded individuals rappelled 25 stories down the side of the Oliver Building for an event called “Over the Edge.”
Each participant had to raise at least $1,500 for a charity know as “Our Clubhouse” that formerly was known as “Gilda’s Club.”
“Our Clubhouse” is located in the Strip District, and it offers support to anyone touched by cancer whether it’s a patient or a patient’s relative. The library is named in honor of Dorrance’s sister, Emily Dorrance, who died from cancer at the age of 23.
McCrady was both elated and terrified as the moments approached for her descent to the ground.
“It’s the scariest experience I’ve had in my life,” said McCrady, who underwent six months of treatment that involved surgery, chemotherapy and radiation at Magee Women’s Hospital when she was diagnosed in 2003. She’s been cancer-free for 10 years. So, it was special for her that the hospital — now a part of UPMC — sponsored the event.