Cold Spring Harbor High School held a tri-state lacrosse tournament Saturday to raise awareness for pediatric brain cancer.
Co-organizer Lauren Rappaport explained that it was all sparked 15 years ago when her husband met an athlete from Hauppauge who died from brain cancer.
She got a lot of support from a nonprofit called the Making Headway Foundation. From then on, the “Gains For Brains” annual girls lacrosse fundraiser at the high school was born.
“Today is about community coming together to celebrate great lacrosse from around the New York City tri-state region, and at the same time, bringing awareness to pediatric brain tumors, and raising money to help get better treatments, and hopefully, one day, a cure,” said Daniel Lipka, executive director of the Making Headway Foundation.
Athletes who participated said they were excited to play against other players from the region.
“It’s honestly just a really exciting experience because we’re playing against some of the best lacrosse players in the country. Everyone’s coming down from all over, it’s not just Long Island lacrosse which makes it so special,” said Cold Spring Harbor senior Amelia Bentley.
Tournament players came to the event from Rockland County, New Jersey and Connecticut. There were eight teams when “Gains For Brains” began in 2015. It has now expanded to 20.
Proceeds from homemade baked goods at the event will also go straight to the cause.
“It’s just so special knowing that everything we’re doing is for a great cause. Everyone coming down here is coming to do what they love, and it’s also benefitting so many people that need help,” said Cold Spring Harbor junior Ryan Reynolds.
“These events really are the foundation for our ability to help other families and help kids out there,” Lipka said.
“It’s just amazing. The athletes are so excited to be here, fans, family — it’s really such a wonderful event,” Rappaport said.
