3D Mid-Atlantic Captures HEADstrong’s National Lax-Off Against Cancer Title

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2018
Contact: Pat Colleluori
Phone: 610-461-5987
Email: Info@HEADstrong.org

Over the past six weeks, more than 75 lacrosse clubs duked it out for the National Championship of Giving as part of the National Lax-Off Against Cancer, a survive and advance digital fundraising tournament supporting the HEADstrong Foundation.  Led by cancer survivors Jake Rudd, Kathleen O’Connor and lacrosse star Tom Schreiber to raise funds to help families overcome by cancer and provide complimentary nights at Nick’s House, a guest family home operated by the HEADstrong Foundation for families in the pursuit of lifesaving cancer treatment. 

The new concept provides lacrosse clubs with a philanthropic layer, thus allowing them to strengthen their commitment to the development of the “complete” student-athlete.  The hope is to provide prospective student-athletes with a philanthropic activity to fulfill community service requirements as well as collegiate prerequisites.

In conjunction with the summer lacrosse season, clubs began going head to head the first weekend in June, using HEADstrong’s online fundraising platform and social media channels to educate their communities about the essential services provided by the organization and the vital need for assistance.  Players raised funds through a myriad of ways including using their on-field performance and stats.  Over the course of 6 weeks 80 clubs were whittled down 2 with the Top Gun Fighting Clams taking on 3D Mid-Atlantic in the Championship round.  With largest incremental gain identified as the mechanism for advancing, 3D Mid-Atlantic captured the inaugural Nicholas E. Colleluori Cup and will hold the title of National Champion of Giving until the kick-off of next year’s campaign.

“Lacrosse means the world to us, we hurt when others suffer, it was an honor to play a small part in helping others.  The National Lax-Off Against Cancer not only taught our teams life lessons but it made us all care a little more.  We had several wins this season, but this win is the one that matters most.”  Spencer Ford, 3D Mid-Atlantic Program Director

Top 5 Fundraising Clubs

  1. Top Gun Fighting Clams
  2. 3D Mid-Atlantic
  3. Jersey Thunder
  4. Team 91
  5. Sweet Lax

Top 5 Fundraisers

  1. Collin Dean – 3D Mid-Atlantic – $1,419.64
  2. Gavrie White – 3D Mid-Atlantic – $1,150.00
  3. Ethan and Aaron Reidy – 3D Mid-Atlantic – $1,091.56
  4. Colin, Luke and Brendan Richardson – 3D Mid-Atlantic – $402.40
  5. Adam Stewart – 3D Mid-Atlantic – $354.80

“Our lacrosse family at 3D-Mid Atlantic is so humbled by this honor.  All of us have been touched by cancer in some way; whether it be a relative, friend, coworker, a teammate’s mother.   But because of our fundraising efforts for the HEADstrong Foundation, we hope more people can be brought a little bit of comfort during such an unthinkable time.  Our goal is to not only train these young players to be strong athletes, but to be stronger community leaders off the field.  I am so proud to be part of an organization who equally values philanthropy and leadership to develop fantastic teammates as they do lacrosse players. Through their love of lacrosse, they got to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.  That is a pretty special experience these kids from 3d Mid Atlantic will take with them forever.  Being awarded the National Championship of Giving is icing on the cake of a fabulous lacrosse season1” Cathy Reidy, 3D Mid-Atlantic Organizer

3D Mid-Atlantic will be presented with the 3-tiered coveted Nicholas E. Colleluori Cup, Tom Schreiber will lead a club practice this fall, they will also be provided with a complementary team slot in a PrimeTime Lacrosse Event, members will also receive a certificate of merit and special HEADstrong prizes. 

“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation, Tom Schreiber, Jake Rudd, Kathleen O’Connor, our Nicholas and those we humbly serve, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to you and your club program for embracing the National Lax-Off Against Cancer with open arms. In our inaugural year more than 80 club lacrosse programs took part in the campaign setting a precedent which has allowed the National Lax-Off Against Cancer to take flight with student-athletes using their voice, sport and passion as a platform for making a difference and serving the community. Your efforts have allowed this fundraiser to emerge as a new tradition in the game. The proceeds from the National Lax-Off Against Cancer will be essential in providing comfort and assistance to families across the country overcome by the disease. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for carrying our Nick’s torch, it truly means the world to our organization and our family. We look forward to having your involvement next year and growing this campaign together in the future.” – Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom

Proceeds support the HEADstrong Foundation a 501(c)3 committed to improving lives affected by cancer, founded by the late Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori. The non-profit organization plays a vital role as a direct resource to families overcome by the hardships of cancer.  HEADstrong provides a variety of services which range from financial assistance to funding capital projects to peer mentorship and most notably, HEADstrong operates Nick’s House, a guest family home providing more than 2,555 nights of complimentary lodging and support to families displaced in the pursuit of life-saving cancer treatment. 

Learn more at www.HEADstrong.org and www.LaxOffAgainstCancer.org.