On Friday, April 15, 2016 Lake Forest College staff, students, alumni, community members, and passionate supporters will unite at the Sports & Recreation Center to celebrate the lives of those who lost their battle to cancer, to remember loved ones lost, and to put up a Forester fight against the disease by raising funds in support of the American Cancer Society.
With a month away from one the most impactful fundraising events on campus, 32 teams and 240 participants have already raised $9,221. One team in particular that continues to raise the bar each year in the number of donations is the football team. Head Coach, Jim Catanzaro, plays a large role in the team’s initiatives by encouraging involvement from all members and urging supporters to take action against this terrible disease. Individually the football team has set the goal to raise $10,000.
In order to reach this goal Coach Catanzaro and members on the team are fortunate to have the help from two distinguished former football student-athletes, Tom Mitchell ‘14 and Jake Julius ’14. Both Mitchell and Julius were active participants in Relay for Life throughout their four years and continue to support the cause and the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission in their post-collegiate years.
For this year’s fundraiser Mitchell plans to support the team through a “Free Throws for a Cure” contest, which will be held at his office, Tremor Video, in Chicago. Mitchell pledged to donate a dollar for each shot taken and two dollars for each shot successfully made. Additionally, many of Mitchell’s colleagues at Tremor Video have vowed to match any amount of money produced to add to his initial donation.
“Having the opportunity to be involved in such an amazing event that will aid individuals and families afflicted by cancer has always been something that resonated very deeply with me,” Mitchell said. “Giving to an organization that funds cancer research and provides aid to those battling the disease, and knowing our contribution can make somebody’s day a little brighter makes it all worthwhile.”
Jake Julius took a different approach to support the cause. With permission from Coach Catanzaro, the former linebacker reached out to current linebackers on the team and promised to donate one dollar for every tackle made in season prior to the event. “Cancer has affected a ton of people, this is my small way of giving back”, Julius stated.
Julius’s interest in Relay for Life began his first day on campus as a freshman when he was introduced to Benny Watters, a young boy who was fighting a life threatening battle with cancer. “After one encounter you could not help but fall in love with Benny”. Despite the fight that he was up against Julius remembers Benny chasing him around the football field with the biggest smile on his face. “He is an inspiration to anyone and everyone who met him.” Julius’s mission is to take advantage of opportunities to help anyone fighting or who has fought for their life as hard as Benny did.
To help Lake Forest College and the Forester football team reach their Forester Football Relay for Life goal, Tom Mitchell and Jake Julius urge you to support this important cause through taking a free throw shot at Tremor Video, participating in campus wide events that support the cause, or simply donating a gift of any amount.
Click the link below to donate.
Forester Football Relay for Life - Click Here