Believe In Me
Fifteen year old Jason C of Chesapeake High School has turned his passion for lacrosse into a personal mission to support the HEADstrong Foundation in its relentless fight against cancer. This year, Jason has exceeded his personal goal by over 200%! Below is the ad copy used designed by Jason to solicit sponsorship.
My name is Jason C and I am a 15 year old lacrosse player. I have hopes and dreams of playing professional lacrosse after finishing high school and college. Lacrosse is my passion and I have been very fortunate to have God given talent and athleticism, the best coaches in the sport and a large supportive family. I have tried to give back to the sport I love by donating my time at summer camps, coaching spring recreation teams and volunteering at vender equipment showcases, but I have always felt like I could do more.
I have never taken playing lacrosse as a given and I have seen many who have been unable to reach their personal dreams because of illness and limitations due to their physical abilities. I recently learned about Nick Colleluori, who loved lacrosse as much as I do but was struck by Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. Nick was a true inspiration and relentless player up until the end, losing his battle to the disease in 2006. “Headstrong Foundation” was set up in Nick’s memory as a non-profit organization that generates funds for blood cancer research and provides financial assistance to families that are experiencing the hardships of having a sick family member.
I have seen so many individuals in my life battle cancer; adults as well as children. Cancer is not selective in its victims. Boys and girls should be spending their time riding their bikes and playing with their neighborhood friends. They should not be in and out of hospitals fighting for their lives. Parents should be worried about what to make for dinner; not if they will survive to see their child’s next birthday. I am happy to say I know of many that put on the fight of their lives and beat the deadly disease. They were lucky, but way too many people lose their battle with cancer. Last summer, my father lost a close and dear friend, John Smith, to lymphoma cancer. John was 35 years old and left a wife and young son behind. John was a firefighter with the City of Annapolis and a volunteer firefighter in his home town of Rising Sun. John, his family and friends did not have a say in his fight against Cancer, the treatment was not available to save him. I want to have a say so no other child loses his or her parent and no parent will ever lose their child to this deadly disease. That is when I realized, I need to make a difference. I want to help raise money for research so doctors can find a way to cure cancer.
Through the Headstrong Foundation set up in Nick’s memory, I hope to raise $1000.00 by June by playing lacrosse. I am asking for sponsors to put your faith in me to help find a cure for this deadly disease. You can sponsor me a flat rate or a rate based on the number of ground balls I pick up this year. On June 1st, I will let you know my total and the amount of the donation. (i.e. $.50 a ground ball X 102 ground balls = $51.00 donation) last season, while playing for my high school team, I had 78 ground balls but this season my goal is 125. I am a long pote midfielder and varsity starter for Chesapeake High school. I also am a member of Old line Rockfish and North Arundel Club lacrosse. Any club game played before June 1st will also be counted. I hope everyone sees the importance of cancer research and is willing to help out as much as they possibly can.
Believe in me, I know together we can help cancer patients everywhere.
HEADstrong Foundation would like to extend a personal thanks to Jason, his family and all who have supported him in reaching and exceeding his goals!
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