The Canisius College athlete, who had a GoFundMe page set up to assist her with college expenses, said she's decided to stop receiving donations. Emily Scheck, 19, said she was disowned by her parents after they learned she is gay. Scheck's roommate started a Go Fund Me page to raise money help pay for college expenses. The fundraising effort has raised more than 100-thousand dollars. Scheck is on an athletic scholarship. Initially the NCAA told the student she could not keep the funds, but later reversed the decision.
Canisius College's Athletic Department issued issued a statement from Scheck Tuesday afternoon. Scheck said she has decided to stop accepting the on-line donations. Scheck pointed out that donating to LGBT organizations is a great way to continue to show support.
WBFO News did put in a request to speak with Scheck, but the student is also declining any more media interviews.
Scheck was kicked out of her home in Webster by her family in August after her parents learned she has a girlfriend and saw photos on social media. The parents gave Scheck a choice to come home and go to therapy or stay and school and be "completely cut off."
Here is the full content of Scheck's statement:
Earlier today (Tuesday, Nov. 20), Canisius sophomore Emily Scheck made the decision to stop receiving donations to her GoFundMe page. Below is Emily’s official statement for the media. She has chosen to decline any further media inquires at this time.
“Thank you to everyone who showed their love and support in this difficult time. The positive outreach has been unbelievable. I never expected this amount of support. I have chosen to stop accepting online donations
because what has been given is more than anyone could have expected.
“Donating to LGBT organizations is a great way to continue to show support and can help many other people who may be struggling in similar situations. Grace [Hausladen, the GoFundMe page organizer] and I will continue to run while pursuing our business degrees at Canisius College. With Thanksgiving coming up, I am grateful for everyone in my life who have continuously been there for me. I now know that family is not always something you have, but something you find.
“Love is love.”
