via press release – photo via JU web site   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A big Saturday is planned for both the Jacksonville University men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. Both teams are in action with a doubleheader starting with the men hosting No. 19 Richmond at 11 a.m. on Mar. 18. The men will host a “Lacrosse Community Day” with a free boys clinic after the game at the East Fields from 1-2 p.m. The women’s team is partnering with the Vs. Cancer Foundation this season to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. The fundraiser will last throughout the season, but the team will celebrate their efforts when they take on Wagner at 1 p.m. The men are scheduled to celebrate their fundraising on Apr. 1. “We hope this game for VS. Cancer foundation will prove to spread awareness and that our fundraising helps to continue the efforts for research and finding cures to the deadliest form of childhood cancer to help fund the national brain tumor research efforts. The core foundation of our program is about serving others. It’s in giving back and providing opportunities to help other people that we find most rewarding as a team. We are so privileged to be partnering with these outstanding organizations,” said Jacksonville Head Coach Mindy McCord. Admission to the game is free but donations will be accepted at the gate. In partnership with Vs. Cancer, fifty percent of the money raised will fund national brain tumor research efforts, the deadliest form of childhood cancer, while the other half will go directly to the music therapy program at Nemours Children’s Hospital. “I grew up supporting my mother through her cancer treatments, finding opportunities to raise money and awareness for people going through similar situations has always been very important to me because I know how hard it is,” said junior Tina Nagel. Both the men’s and women’s teams will have honorary team captains and guests several of the children undergoing support services from Nemours. “We are excited to be able to be able to support Nemours and their programing with the music therapy program and providing games and electronics equipment for the children,” said McCord.

Brant Masters, Director of Team Relations for the Vs. Cancer Foundation, 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 Jacksonville University women’s lacrosse team making an immediate impact at Nemours Children’s. 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.”

“It is a fun opportunity to invest time in kids whose opportunities have been different than ours growing up and learn just as much from them and their experiences that we’ve learned from our own,” said senior Hannah Wilcox.

The Vs. Cancer Foundation was founded in 2012 by childhood cancer 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. About the Vs. Cancer Foundation Donate to Jacksonville University’s efforts