Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/13/09
Supporters of youth and club lacrosse coach Deb Andress are encouraging people to sign up for the National Brain Tumor Society Race For Hope – Philadelphia event on Sunday, Nov. 1 (8:30 a.m.) at the Art Museum.
This event, now in its fourth year, has raised over $1,000,000 to fund innovative research and support services for brain tumor patients and their families. Last year 700 participants made “Team Andress” the top fundraising team in the event; the 700 runners and walkers (5K) represented the highest number in the country for any Brain Tumor event.
Team Andress was created to show support for Andress, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008 and has undergone extensive treatments while continuing to make progress toward recovery.
Last year Team Andress shattered the Brain Tumor Society record by raising nearly $40,000 on behalf of the former Penn State great who has been a longtime director and coach for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (OLMC) in Doylestown and a director of Five Star Lacrosse.
Another $8,000 was raised for Thomas Jefferson Hospital’s Neuro-team through the sales of Team Andress t-shirts. On the back of the shirts was a “V” for “varsity,” the term Andres uses so often to motivate her youth players at OLMC when recognizing a standout performance.
Currently, Team Andress is in second place among fundraising teams and team coach Jacquie Beck is asking for participants to recruit at least one new person. Over $6,000 has been pledged for this year’s event.
To join Team Andress, click here to register. Above “Jacquie Beck” in the Team Andress grey box click the link “Join Team”. Children also are invited and can participate in a children’s walk.
This year’s t-shirt will be grey with navy blue lettering. The front will read: TEAM ANDRESS with a quote below it from Joe Paterno: “You must believe in your heart that you are destined to do great things.” The back will have the V and “VARSITY” below it.
Beck said Team Andress also is looking for Corporate Sponsors. Beck can be reached at jbeck@brookwood.com
Leave a Reply