The 2nd Annual Nicholas Colleluori Classic
The HEADstrong Foundation and the Colleluori Family are very pleased to announce that the 2nd Annual Nick Colleluori Lacrosse Classic was a tremendous success.
In two short years, the Nick Colleluori Classic has become recognized a major Fall Ball Tournament and an even more renowned charity event. It was Nick’s dream to help raise awareness and funds so others affected by blood cancer could have a better chance to recover and an improved quality of life. Saturday, Nick’s dream was fulfilled as 13 men’s lacrosse teams got the chance to do just that. The HEADstrong Foundation recognizes the coaches and members of Bellarmine University, Cabrini College, Haverford College, Hofstra University, Lehigh University, Loyola College, University of Maryland, Penn State University, Princeton University, St. Joseph’s University, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Widener University Mens’ Lacrosse teams for their involvement and thanks them for raising awareness by selling HEADstrong t-shirts and for their “relentless” efforts on the field Saturday.
Additionally, each of the teams was assigned an ‘Honorary Captain,” someone who is recovering from blood cancer. These people were the true heroes of the day. We are grateful that each team welcomed their “Captain” and made them feel part of their team. Plans are already underway for next year; the foundation does not want to change the venue away from Nick’s home.
The HEADstrong Foundation is proud to announce that the following disbursements that have been made possible due to the success of the 2nd annual Nick Colleluori Lacrosse Classic.
$20,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s research – the Society is committed to finding cures for leukemia and related diseases and improving the lives of those affected by these diseases. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invests $61 million annually in support of more than 200 researchers, provides financial assistance to patients, sponsors scientific conferences around the country, produces educational materials and videos, and runs over 50 support groups nationwide. Because they receive no federal funding, they depend on organizations like HEADstrong Foundation for continued support of these needed programs. Research sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) on blood cancers ranges from basic research that utilizes the latest tools of genomics (gene structure and function analysis) to studies that translate basic discoveries to new treatments.
$25,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night Walk is an annual event to raise funds for cures. It’s the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients and their families. Funds raised through Light The Night Walk support the work of hundreds of the world’s best and brightest researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
$50,000 to the Stephen J. Schuster Lymphoma Research Fund at University of Pennsylvania Hospital – This term research fund will support the lymphoma research currently being conducted by Stephen J. Schuster, M.D. and his team at the Abramson Cancer Center. Dr. Schuster’s current research interests include identifying targeted therapies for small B-cell lymphomas. This immunologic based therapy of lymphomas seeks to develop patient-specific vaccines to use against the patient’s individual tumor. The importance of this research for Penn’s scientific community and beyond cannot be overstated. More importantly, the HEADstrong Lymphoma Research Fund will expedite the flow of individualized treatments from “bench to bedside,” and ideally improve outcomes for lymphoma patients.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you so much for the part you played in us being able to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. In the meantime, we are preparing for next year’s event; we will continue with our mission and our hope is that we can count on you for your continuous support. We look forward to seeing you next year.
On behalf of Nick,
Cheryl A. Colleluori
If you would like to get involved, please email headstrongfoundation@gmail.com.
