HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's lacrosse team has been partnering with the Vs. Cancer Foundation this season to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. The fundraiser has lasted throughout the season, but the team will celebrate their efforts and announce the amount of money they have raised on Sunday, April 9 when they take on Tusculum College at 2 p.m. at the Coker Athletic Field.
"It's been a pleasure working with the Vs. Cancer Foundation on this endeavor", said Coker head men's lacrosse coach David Olliver. "Being able to help cancer research, especially for the youth, is something our guys have taken pride in, and did a great job of promoting and raising money for. Being able to give back to our local Palmetto Children's Hospital and have an immediate impact on children in our own community means a lot to this team and this program. Thank you to all those who participated and we hope to continue to give and reach an even bigger goal next year."
In partnership with Vs. Cancer, fifty percent of the money raised will fund national brain tumor research efforts through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, while the other half will go directly to the pediatric oncology unit at Palmetto Health.
Brant Masters, Director of Team Relations for the Vs. Cancer, played collegiate baseball at Furman University and participated with Vs. Cancer as a fundraiser before coming to work for Vs. Cancer full-time. "It is exciting to see the efforts of the Coker College men's lacrosse team making an immediate impact at Palmetto Health. As college athletes, kids look up to them. They are not only helping local children who are fighting, but are also making a difference for the next child fighting through funding groundbreaking research. With the support of this incredible team, we are going to make a true difference in these children's lives."
Vs. Cancer was founded in 2012 by childhood brain tumor survivor Chase Jones, who was a collegiate baseball player at the University of North Carolina during the time of his diagnosis. The support of his teammates during treatment was his largest source of strength, which Vs. Cancer now provides to kids all across the U.S. by working with college athletic teams.
Vs. Cancer has worked with hundreds of athletes, teams and communities nationwide to fund the comprehensive spectrum of the pediatric cancer battle: from research initiatives across the country to healing programs within local children's hospitals.