Conway – When the Central Arkansas Bears take to the pitch at the Stephens Complex on Friday night, they'll be looking for their second win in Southland Conference play against a stout Abilene Christian side that features the league's strongest defense. More importantly though, the Bears will use the evening to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and to support Joanna Smith, who is battling Leukemia.

Smith, the daughter of Peter and Darby (Ingram) Smith is three years old and was recently diagnosed with PH+ Acute Lyphoblastic Leukemia, PH+ ALL, a rare type of leukemia that is seen in roughly five percent of pediatric leukemia patients. She has close ties to the Central Arkansas soccer family, as her father, Peter, played for UCA head coach Jeremy Bishop at Lyon College from 2002 to 2006, while her mother, Darby, is a UCA alumna who graduated in 2007 before earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010.

Fans can contribute to the Smith family's Gofundme campaign at http://gf.me/u/mbfgfr or can visit the lemonade stand run by Joanna's sisters Sable and Mae at the game.
"I'm really excited about Friday night and having the opportunity to help the Smith family," said Bishop. "They are an incredible family and are very special to me and my family. I know their faith will see them through this difficult time; our prayers and thoughts are with them every day."