By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/6/11
Lacrosse fans will have the chance to support Chestnut Hill College lacrosse player Shane Franzone while playing wallball and taking a shot at some significant pieces of Philly sports memorabilia Saturday during a special benefit event at Plymouth Whitemarsh.
The Chestnut Hill team is holding the “Balls to the Wall” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at PW to raise money for Franzone, who has been fighting a rare blood disease called aplastic anemia for nearly 14 month.
The disease causes the bone marrow to fail to produce adequate counts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Since being diagnosed just after the 4th annual Nick Colleluori Classic in October of 2010 while a freshman at Chestnut Hill, Franzone has spent nearly all his time at Children Hospital and has endured a bone marrow transplant, several other serious surgeries and continuing complications.
Franzone, a Norristown grad, remains in very serious condition after a recent surgery.
“Balls to the Wall’ is sponsored by the HEADstrong Foundation, Maverick Lacrosse and Baggataway LC.
The highlight of the event may be the silent auction. Chestnut Hill coach Brian Dougherty, known for winning a championship at just about every level as one of the world’s greatest goalies, is donating many of his championship items.
Some of the items up for auction include: (from Dougherty) an autographed 1998 Team USA jersey; autographed 2000 Philly Wings jersey; 2003 World Champion Long Island Lizards jersey and helmet, both autographed; also, Winter Classic hockey pucks signed by Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, Matt Striebel’s Team USA jersey, Drew Adams and Kyle Sweeney MLL jerseys, Philadelphia Wings items, and Team USA items.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Franzone family to defray medical costs. His birthday is Dec. 12.
Participants of any age or gender can come to P-W and catch and throw against the wall at the back of the high school off Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting. Chestnut Hill players and many others from the lacrosse community will give tips and some instruction as players hone skills, hang out and make a donation of their choice.
There also will be an auction of sports memorabilia while individuals from Maverik, the HEADstrong Foundation and Baggataway Lacrosse Club, the event sponsors, will be present.
Dougherty, a key member of the 2010 World Cup champions and a former standout of the two-time champion Philadelphia Barrage, asks that all players bring their helmets, sticks, gloves and goggles (girls) and plan to participate rain or shine.
If you are interested in attending the event or donating to the cause, you can download information from the Facebook group or contact Adam Eddinger with Chestnut Hill Lacrosse at eddingera@chc.edu. Click here for the pledge/ sponsor form on Google docs.
