Riverdale, NY – On Thursday, February 11, the Manhattan College men's and women's basketball teams will partner with the HEADstrong Foundation in an effort to raise awareness and funds to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
This marks the second season that the Jaspers have hosted a basketball game in support of HEADstrong with this year's women's match-up the first to be associated with the cause. Both games will be shown nationally on ESPN3 with the women hosting Monmouth University at 5:00 pm and the men playing host to Quinnipiac University at 8:00 pm.
The HEADstrong Foundation, a non-profit organization serves the cancer community by granting direct assistance to those financially impacted by the disease, provides complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling for cancer related treatments through Nick's House™, funds innovative cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, serves family meals and offering outlets of entertainment, delivers comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant and lends an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.
The blueprints for the HEADstrong Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori, a student-athlete from Hofstra University who was diagnosed in 2005 with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life in 2006. Today, Nick's vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, teams and supporters across the country.
HEADstrong's #ProjectGameday is an online fundraising campaign empowering teams and individuals alike to pledge a game and raise funds for the cause. Click here, to support the Jasper's fundraising page.
For Manhattan play-by-play announcer Christian Heimall the games next Thursday mean a lot more. Heimall is currently in remission after battling the illness in 2015. Last season, Heimall organized the first HEADstrong awareness game on campus and is thrilled to see the new tradition evolve.
“I was truly overwhelmed by the support shown by both the Manhattan College community and the HEADstrong Foundation last year,” said Heimall. “The Colleluori family continues to be instrumental in improving the lives of countless patients and their families battling this terrible disease. I am so honored to keep this tradition alive and keep the fight going for others who are struggling with it.”
Heimall, who is in his fifth year as the “Voice of the Jaspers,” was, diagnosed the B-Cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in December of 2014 and was declared in remission in April of 2015 after undergoing multiple rounds of intense chemotherapy. A Hofstra University graduate, the 26-year-old has joined forces with HEADstrong to continue their mission of improving quality of life for patients battling cancer and their families.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear lime green, the official awareness color of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and the HEADstrong Foundation.
“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those affected by cancer we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Manhattan Jasper nation for embracing our cause," said Cheryl Colleluori, HF President and Nick's mother. "We find ourselves matched against the toughest opponent and we are on the front lines of this disease, working, supporting and easing the hardships of 'Real People' like Christian Heimall. It is so amazing to see the HEADstrong Awareness Game become an annual tradition on campus and it is an honor to have programs like Quinnipiac and Monmouth joining our efforts this season.”
Please visit, www.HEADstrong.org to learn more about how the HEADstrong Foundation is improving lives affected by cancer.
About the HEADstrong Foundation™
The HEADstrong Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) committed to being a resource for blood cancer patients and their families, helping them to navigate the harrowing ordeal of cancer by providing essential services to improve quality of life.
HEADstrong™ is an athletic rooted organization that serves the cancer community by granting direct financial assistance to those financially impacted as a result of the disease, by providing complimentary long-term housing and amenities for those traveling to Philadelphia, Pa. for cancer related treatments through Nick's House™, by funding innovative blood cancer research through the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma research fund, by serving family meals and offering outlets of entertainment for those receiving care at hospitals, by delivering comfort kits to newly hospitalized patients preparing for treatment or transplant and by lending an arm of support through their peer to peer advocacy group.
