SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - There's nothing better than supporting a great cause for a friend in need.
On Sunday, October 11, Western New England College will participate in the second annual Catamount Classic Lacrosse For A Cure at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts.
The Golden Bears are among 11 schools who will play three games in the day-long event, which is being held to raise money and awareness for the Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's division of testicular cancer research.
In 2007, a member of the University of Vermont team came down with the disease, but bounced back to play every game the following season. Although he wasn't treated there, Dana-Farber assisted with the diagnosis and discussion of his treatment options.
As for the player, his cancer (thankfully) is now in remission.
Catamount coach
Ryan Curtis and his wife
Kelly (who previously worked at Dana-Farber) organized the inaugural event last year, raising approximately $20,000.
"Our primary goal is to get students in high school through college seniors on our website to read our testicular cancer information page," Kelly wrote in an email to US Lacrosse, which was published in the August issue of Lacrosse Magazine.
"This is a touchy subject for many students in this age group, and if caught early enough, this is a very treatable cancer."
Also participating are Division I Albany, Colgate, Holy Cross, Robert Morris (Pa.), Siena, UMass, and Division II Adelphi, Le Moyne (N.Y.), and Bentley.
For further information, please visit the
Catamount Classic website.