2nd Annual MLL #BURNCANCER Week!

BOSTON (July 14, 2015) – Major League Lacrosse will hold their second annual “Burn Cancer Week” leading up to the final day of MLL games on Saturday, July 25, 2015. “Burn Cancer Week” is a league-wide initiative launched to support the HEADstrong Foundation in an effort to raise cancer awareness.

The HEADstrong Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by cancer.  The organization was founded in 2006 by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori shortly after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 19 in 2005.  Colleluori was entering his sophomore year as a member of the Hofstra University men’s lacrosse team at the time of his diagnosis. HEADstrong has grown to serve as a national resource to patients, families, and caregivers through providing essential funding, programs, and services allowing those affected to live with a greater quality of life and a greater sense of normalcy during their journey.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be working with Major League Lacrosse in building upon this awareness initiative that we began last season,” said Pat Colleluori, Chief Marketing Officer of HEADstrong Foundation and brother of Nick. “Major League Lacrosse has embraced HEADstrong with open arms and we hope that Burn Cancer Week will empower athletes nationwide in support of the cause, shed light on the hardships that face both patients and families, and encourage others to help us in changing the game for those battling cancer.  This partnership with the MLL means a great deal to our organization and to our family.”

Saturday, July 25th will see all eight MLL teams take the field wearing the iconic HEADstrong lime green colored shoelaces as well as a variety of other complimentary lime green gear and accessories designed to bring awareness to the HEADstrong cause. Nick Colleluori, founder of HEADstrong, chose the color lime green because it is the National Awareness Color of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it is also an eye-catching color that would increase visibility.

MLL coaches will also be part of the effort as they will be wearing signature HEADstrong polos and hats on the MLL sidelines. Finally, what better way to grab attention in the high scoring game of lacrosse than to incorporate the goals.  Traditional MLL goal nets will be replaced with lime green nets specifically for Burn Cancer Week as well.

Throughout the weeks leading up to “Burn Cancer Week” and thereafter, the MLL will be promoting the opportunity to purchase the iconic lime green HEADstrong Foundation shoelaces to the public as a league-wide initiative to contribute to the fundraising for HEADstrong.  It is the League’s aspiration that the “Lace Up” campaign will increase public awareness about blood cancer and further disseminates the HEADstrong campaign’s cause among the lacrosse community.  You can purchase your own lime green shoelaces to support the cause by clicking HERE or join in on the social conversation by using the hashtags #BurnCancer and #LaceUp. Every contribution counts!  Donate today!

The MLL and many of the players have been long-time supporters of the HEADstrong Foundation and will continue to support and raise awareness for patients, families and anyone affected by all forms of cancer to help fulfill Nick’s vision. . “Lace Up” will be supported by a series of MLL players through social media as well as on the field.  The players want to show their support for the HEADstrong mission by revealing who they’re lacing up for, for anyone they know who has been affected by blood cancer.

MLL “Burn Cancer” Awareness Week Schedule:

7/25 New York Lizards vs. Denver Outlaws    5:00pm EST
Available on: ESPN3

7/25 Boston Cannons vs. Ohio Machine    7:00pm EST
Available on: ESPN3

7/25 Charlotte Hounds vs. Chesapeake Bayhawks    7:00pm EST
Available on: ESPN3, FSN Florida/Sun Sports, FSN South/Sports South, Altitude, CSN MA/TCN MA, TWC NY, MSG+, CSN Chicago

7/25 Rochester Rattlers vs. Florida Launch    7:00pm EST
Available on: ESPN3

About HEADstrong Foundation:
The HEADstrong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) committed to improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families through providing essential services.  HEADstrong is an athletic rooted organization that serves the cancer community by granting direct financial assistance to those financially impacted as a result of the disease, by providing complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for cancer related treatments through Nick’s House, by funding innovative cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, by serving family meals and offering outlets of entertainment, by providing fresh groceries to patients being discharged from lengthy hospital stays, by delivering comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant, and by lending an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.

The blueprints for the Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori in 2006, from his hospital bed while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life.  Today, Nick’s vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes, and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against cancers. For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation and how they are Getting aHEAD of Cancer, click here or sign up to volunteer.

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/HEADstrongFoundation
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/HEADstrongFnd
Find us on Instagram: Instagram.com/headstrongfnd
Watch us on Youtube: Youtube.com/user/27HEADstrong

About Major League Lacrosse:
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston. Major League Lacrosse commenced play in June 2001 and has embarked on its fifteenth season. MLL has continued to lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. The league is made up of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Florida Launch, New York Lizards, Ohio Machine, and Rochester Rattlers.

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/MajorLeagueLacrosse
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/MLL_Lacrosse
Find us on Instagram: Instagram.com/MajorLeagueLax
Watch us on Youtube: Youtube.com/MajorLeagueLax

Click HERE for more information about Major League Lacrosse

Click HERE for tickets to the 2015 MLL Championship Game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA on August 8th