This post is coming a couple days later than I anticipated but I've been enjoying my new found freedom since being released from the hospital on Monday night. I went back to my full-time job on Tuesday and even went ice skating for the first time in SIX YEARS! I've never been so excited to be so nervous in my life haha!
As I've consistently been expressing through my posts, I am incredibly humbled and honored by the amount of support I have received since announcing my diagnosis. All of that support came to a pinnacle last night. This has been in the works for about a week and we were finally able to announce it yesterday. For those of you that have not heard, below you will find the release from the Manhattan College Athletics Department:
"RIVERDALE, N.Y. – On Friday, Feb. 13, the Manhattan College men’s basketball team will partner with the HEADstrong Foundation’s #ProjectGameday in an effort to raise awareness and funds to fight blood cancer, in honor of play-by-play broadcaster Christian Heimall. The Jaspers are slated to take on Iona College at 10 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
The blueprints for the HEADstrong Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori in 2006, while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life. Today, Nick’s vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against blood cancers.
“We are excited to be able to help not only Christian but the entire HEADstrong Foundation in the universal fight against cancer,” said Manhattan College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Noah D. LeFevre.
#ProjectGameday is HEADstrong’s newest fundraising campaign, supporting the essential programs and services offered by the non-profit organization to improve quality of life for cancer patients and their families. The online campaign empowers athletic teams and individuals alike to pledge their game and raise funds for the cause. Manhattan’s #ProjectGameday will help raise funds for HEADstrong and for Christian as he battles his illness. Click here to change the game for Christian and others affected by cancer.
“The HEADstrong Foundation has been shining a light on those battling cancer for the better part of a decade,”said Heimall. “The Colleluori family has been instrumental in improving the lives of countless patients and their families battling this terrible disease. I am so honored to be welcomed as part of their extended family and to help welcome Jasper Nation into that family as well.”
A merchandise tent will also be set up inside Draddy Gym for fans to purchase, as well donate to the foundation. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear lime green, the official awareness color of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the HEADstrong Foundation.
Heimall, who is in his fourth year as the “Voice of the Jaspers,” was diagnosed the B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. A Hofstra University graduate, the 25-year-old has joined forces with HEADstrong to continue their mission of improving quality of life for patients battling cancers and their families.
“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those affected by cancer we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Manhattan Jasper nation for rallying support for Christian and recognizing the importance of 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. When we learned of his diagnosis, we immediately reached out to assure him that he was not alone and we are inspired by his positivity. He embodies many of the same characteristics of our Nick and we are thrilled to have him on our team. We wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to both Manhattan and Iona College for joining our fight against this disease.”
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.
For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation™ and how they are Getting a HEAD of Cancer™ go to www.HEADstrong.org."
I truthfully cannot convey my gratitude for everyone is helping to make this possible. From Pat Colleluori at HEADstrong, who called me up out of the blue to help get this thing moving, to Jim Sheehan at Hofstra Univeristy to making the connection possible, and everyone at both Manhattan and Iona College for agreeing to do this for me; it's almost too much.
This is why I love sports. Sports have always been an outlet from real life and a chance for everyone, no matter what side of the tracks you reside on, to come together for a common good: their fellow man. February 6th is my return to broadcasting, my outlet, and to be able to do something like this a week later, at a place I love, surrounded by people I love, is such an incredible blessing that I still don't know if I truly deserve.
Throughout this whole process, I have asked simply for your time and your thoughts. This will be one of the few times, if not the only time, that I will ask for money. Please, visit www.classy.org/BootStompCancer and make a donation to HEADstrong's #ProjectGameday. By doing so, you will not just be benefiting me, but countless others who are afflicted by cancer.
The goal of HEADstrong is to improve the quality of life of blood cancer patients and their families. I am so very blessed to have the family I do that many of the financial hardships others endure, we are not forced to. So please, in honor of that, make a donation (even as little as $27, in honor of HF founder Nick Collelouri) to help those in much more dire straits than I. If you want to learn more about Nick, his family, his story, and his mission, go to www.HEADstrong.org and learn what a tremendous cause this is.
I am so very proud to be welcomed into this family, and even prouder to open the doors to you all. If you cannot be at the game on February 13, watch on ESPNU and know that any donation you can make is one GIANT step in our fight against cancer. Because if we are RELENTLESS in our efforts, and HEADstrong in our efforts, we can all get aHEAD of Cancer. For Nick.
I love you all, I thank you all, and I can't wait to see you all soon!
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