Inaugural Clippers Fighting Cancer Shutout Nets $23,000 For HEADstrong Foundation

Bellport, NY- On Saturday March 24, 2012, several high school lacrosse teams from New York participated in the inaugural Clippers Fighting Cancer Shutout hosted by Bellport High School and organized by Justin White benefitting the HEADstrong Foundation. In front of a large crowd teams competed in a six-hour event on four fields at Bellport’s athletic complex. The effort was an incredible success generating over $23,000 for the HEADstrong Foundation and their relentless pursuit of defeating blood cancer.

The event featured 11 teams playing exhibition lacrosse games at the Bellport High School. Participating Long Island based teams included Bellport, Bayport-Blue Point, Center Moriches, Commack, Deer Park, Middle County, Miller Place, and Sachem East; in addition teams came from Pelham and Rye, both in Westchester County and Liverpool from Syracuse.

The event served not only as an opportunity to fundraise for the cause but a chance for players and families to gain an understanding of the impact that they can have in their community. Players from the participating teams took to their local streets, sharing the HEADstrong Foundation’s story and selling awareness t-shirts.

“We wanted to do something special with our boys this season, something to give them perspective outside of playing the game. We cannot help but be inspired by the diligent work of the HEADstrong Foundation and we were inspired to do something as both a team and a community to further their mission. We wish to thank all of the participating teams, our players, our families and our community for their support in making this event a true success. We look forward to expanding the event in 2013.” Event Organizer and Bellport Coach Justin White

“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation we wish to thank all of the programs who participated in the inaugural Clippers Fighting Cancer Shutout. It truly means the world to us to see players empowered to make a difference in our Nick’s name. We are incredibly humbled by the support and awareness that this event has generated and are looking forward to next year. We want players to understand that whether individually or together as a group they can do something to make a positive change in the life of someone else.” HEADstrong President Cheryl Colleluori

HEADstrong Foundation works to advocate, raise funds for and to support those affected by blood cancer or working to eliminate it. HEADstrong Foundation generates funds for blood cancer research, distributes grants and provides assistance to patients and survivors of blood cancer. In addition, HEADstrong Foundation awards scholarships and grants for students with ambitions of entering the medical field. Founder Nick “Head” Colleluori” attended Hofstra University where he played lacrosse. While at Hofstra Nick was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While sick he began counseling other patients and began laying the framework for what would become the HEADstrong Foundation, in an effort to raise cancer awareness and help others and future patients that found themselves in a similar situation. In August of 2006 he even found the strength to play in one last lacrosse game. Nick passed away on November 28, 2006 at the age of 21. Even though he is gone, his memory and relentless determination lives on through the HEADstrong Foundation.

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