Brookville, N.Y. - For the third-straight year, the LIU Post men's lacrosse team hosted its "Team Connor Day" initiative. The event was held Saturday in conjunction with the Pioneers' contest against Merrimack.
Head Coach John Jez and his team raised $9,500 for pediatric cancer research, surpassing last year's total of $5,500. All proceeds benefited The Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital.
"Team Connor Day," which celebrates the courage and tenacity of children with cancer, contributed all event proceeds to the Cancer Center for Kids (CCFK) at Winthrop-University Hospital, fulfilling important needs for CCFK patients and their families.
Prior to the game, the Pioneers recognized their two honorary co-captains, Connor Bradley and Sal Trotta, who are both being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Bradley and Trotta joined the two teams at midfield for a ceremonial coin toss.
In an effort to raise funds, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction was set up at the front gate. With a starting bid of $500, the grand prize of the silent auction was a four-day, three-night stay to a Sandals resort of his or her choice in the Caribbean.
Additionally, a private donor offered to contribute $100 for every Pioneer goal scored, up to a maximum of $3,000. A total of $900 was collected, as LIU Post scored nine goals on the afternoon.
"A great day for a great charity," Jez stated. "We raised $9,500 for childhood cancer. It continues to be an annual event that has been great for the community."
In addition to providing funding for the Center's psychosocial programs including Music Therapy, Child Life, Social Work and Child Psychology, proceeds from the 2015 event also funded gift cards for some very special purposes. The successes of this year's initiative funded gift cards to celebrate patient birthdays at the Center, so that CCFK patients will be able to visit places like Toys 'R' Us, Best Buy and Sports Authority to buy a gift of their choice. Gift cards were also provided to help decorate the Center on days when a child is due to receive chemotherapy on the same day of their actual birthday, to help make the occasion positive and memorable. To help offset fuel costs for trips back and forth for treatment and grocery expenses for families, proceeds also funded gift cards to local gas stations and supermarkets.
For further information on The Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital, please click here.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
