Lacrosse for a cause

On October 10, men’s lacrosse is playing for more than just a victory at the Cabrini game.

All the tournament proceeds will be given to an organization dedicated to helping the fight against blood cancer.

Sophomore Aaron Benz, Eastern’s goalie, is a Hodgkins lymphoma survivor. This time last year, Benz was undergoing chemotherapy, so there is no doubt that this cause is close to the lacrosse team’s heart.

The Nick Colleuori Classic is named in the memory of the Ridley High School student who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. All the proceeds of the event go to the HEADstrong Foundation.

According the HEADstrong Foundation’s mission statement, HEADstrong is dedicated to raising money for cancer research, to give grants and help to cancer survivors and to financially assist those looking to enter the medical field.

The HEADstrong Foundation was envisioned by the late Colleuori. He drew the HEADstrong logo – a lacrosse stick on the inside and a cancer ribbon around the head – while waiting to enter the operating room. On November 28, 2006, Colleuori lost his life at the age of 21.

The Nick Colleuori Classic honors both his memory of an undersized but tough lacrosse player, and his vision to help those who continue to fight against blood cancer.

Source: http://www.headstrongfoundation.org/