The event will take place Aug. 18-19 at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks, in conjunction with Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse, announced a community partnership to raise funds for CURE Childhood Cancer Association at the Second Annual Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational.
“I was thrilled when (Brady’s Bunch vice president) Mike Wein gave me a call about this opportunity,” said Knighthawks defenseman and academy director Brad Gillies. “Having the chance to raise money for CURE is a special thing and something I’m happy we can be a part of.”
“After meeting Brady and his father, it’s great that we can work together to help kids who are fighting cancer,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “It’s very easy to be inspired by Brady and his story of courage and perseverance.”
Mike “Papi” Wein started Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse as a single team to play for his son, Brady, who was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) in 2008 when he was just 3 months old. Because of the positive impact of the original team and Brady, Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse has offered similar opportunities to players throughout the United States. The teams, whose mission is to “Play For Someone Else,” compete for children battling cancer.
As part of the relationship with the Knighthawks, Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse will enter a Midget team in the Upstate Box Lacrosse Invitational, which will take place from Saturday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 19 at Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex. The 2-day event features kids in the Pee Wee (5th and 6th grade), Bantam (7/8 grade) and Midget (9/10 grade) divisions.
“I am honored to team up with an organization like the Knighthawks,” said Mike Wein. “This is our first time working with an NLL team. I’ve met Curt Styres and (former Knighthawk) Dan Dawson and spoke to the team before a Black Wolves’ game. To turn it around a year later and be doing our first ever box lacrosse event is amazing.
“We’re going to do the best we can to raise money for families in the Rochester area and CURE Childhood Cancer Association. This isn’t just a lacrosse event; it is a fundraiser. We can’t wait to get the weekend started.”
At the Jr. Knighthawks’ tournament, fans can purchase stress balls at the Brady’s Bunch table to enter to win prizes donated by Brady’s Bunch and the Knighthawks. The Knighthawks are also holding a team fundraising competition through the sale of gift cards. Each player on the winning team will receive a Knighthawks/Brady’s Bunch prize pack. The proceeds from the sales will go directly to CURE.
“The continuation of the partnership between the Rochester Knighthawks and CURE Childhood Cancer Association is truly appreciated,” said CURE Executive Director Holly Dutcher. “We are humbled by the support that Brady’s Bunch is offering to our families in their time of need, knowing first-hand what it’s like to hear the deafening words: ‘Your child has cancer.’ The advocacy and support shown by both groups makes a difference to families locally, and we couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it.”
The fundraising effort is the second collaboration between the Knighthawks and Brady’s Bunch. Gillies and his teammates first met Mike and his son during the 2017 season. That’s when they listened to Mike tell the emotional story of Brady, who has spent a lifetime fighting pediatric cancer. His courage so moved the Knighthawks players and fans that in April of 2017, they contributed $2,160 to Brady’s Bunch.
“When Mike spoke to us before our game, it was so moving,” said Gillies. “What an amazing story and an amazing young man.”
About Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse
Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse is a non-profit organization whose mission, through lacrosse, is to raise awareness of children’s cancer, funds for research and for children and families who suffer from cancer. Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse began as a single lacrosse team playing for Brady Wein. Based on the explosive growth and demonstrated impact of the team and Brady, Brady’s Bunch Lacrosse was established to provide similar opportunities to youth and teens throughout the country. Today, through a unique integration of lacrosse, they “Play For Someone Else” in solidarity for children fighting cancer. To learn more about Brady’s Bunch or to make a donation, go online to www.bradysbunchlacrosse.org.
About CURE Childhood Cancer Association
The mission of CURE is to improve the lives of children and their families coping with childhood cancer or chronic blood disorders by providing emotional, educational, social and financial assistance; promoting and funding research toward a cure. CURE is celebrating 40 years of making a difference in the Rochester community.