By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/21/17
Shay Cowan describes Frank Bonner as one of the most genuine, selfless people he has ever met.
“No matter where we are or what’s going on, Frank always greets me with a smile. And the first words out of his mouth are, ‘How’s everything with you and your family?’ Cowan said. “During the 15+ years I’ve known Frank – both in a coaching capacity and as a fellow teammate – he always impressed me with his ability to help anyone who needed it.
“He could look at a player, analyze his shortcomings and strengths, and offer guidance as to how to improve. I’ve always admired Frank, not only for his lacrosse abilities, but as an individual. He’s someone I’ve always been proud to call my friend.”
Bonner is a friend to the entire South Jersey/Philly lacrosse community, and the region is rallying to help the popular coach and director for the South Jersey Boys Box Lacrosse League, referee and all-around supporter of young lacrosse players.
Bonner is suffering from Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a form of Nephrotic Syndrome that has progressed into End Stage Renal Failure. He is in need of a kidney transplant and matches are sought (Click here for the Facebook page explaining the kidney donation process).
Due to his medical condition, Bonner, a husband and father of two whose profession is a law enforcement officer, cannot work. To help defray his signifiant medical bills, a GoFundMe page was created Sunday (https://www.gofundme.com/t8hvn-franks-medical-bills) and already over $5,000 has been raised with a goal of $10,000.
Bonner’s options are limited to dialysis or a kidney transplant. FSGS is a disease that prevents the kidneys from cleaning the blood because of scarring in the kidneys and it is not caused by one single disease but many.
“I first had the pleasure of meeting Frank Bonner 18 years ago as a player, we were playing pick up out in Horsham, PA,” said Kurt Loescher, the Founder of South Jersey Boys Box Lacrosse League. “It really doesn’t matter where you meet Bonner, he has played the game all over.
“Frank is a familiar face to many as he has played with you or someone you know. His love for the game can best be described as infectious. As a player I would look to Frank as a mentor, his knowledge of the game is vast and broad. As a friend, Frank inspires me to push further, thanks to him I have had the opportunity to coach hundreds of youth and high school players via the game of box.
“Some of these players are now committing to colleges. I’ve often thanked Frank for this, and his response is always, ‘It takes a village.’ Box is only one aspect of Bonner, he also coaches field for both boys and girls. He has coached numerous players in the South Jersey area for over 15 years now.
“I was extremely happy when he made the Puerto Rico national team, and my happiness turned to sadness as Frank’s health started to fail. Even in failing health, he didn’t tell anyone what was going on, and his game play obviously suffered as his kidneys stopped working. Never once did Frank ask for a hand out or any help. To this day if you look at his Facebook page you will see him spreading the hardships of others, looking for help for them over himself. It is my hope in writing this that the village will help take care of one of it’s elders.”
Bonner was captain of the Cherry Hill West club team as a senior in 1992 and played for Wiender’s club team in college before competing on two men’s club teams, the Philadelphia Medical Lacrosse Club and Behind the Back Lacrosse Club.
Bonner played forward for Philadelphia Box Lacrosse All-Stars for the US in Prague. Since 2005 he has played forward for the Philadelphia Wingnuts Lacrosse Club, a charity team. He joined the Masters Lacrosse Club in 2008 and also played attack for the Beavers Club. He currently is coach and instructor for the South Jersey Boys Box Lacrosse league, also a player in the Northman Master Lacrosse team and recently played for Puerto Rico Lacrosse in an event in the spring of 2017.