WISE -- UVA Wise women's lacrosse announced that it is joining lacrosse teams and players across the country in accepting the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's LaCROSSe Out Cancer Challenge this spring.  These lacrosse players are using their time and talent to raise visibility about the critical need for increasing financial support for pediatric cancer research.  
 
Each day, 47 American children are diagnosed with cancer and more children under 20 years old are lost to cancer annually than any other disease. Advancing research that has a high potential for saving lives and doing so without the toxic side effects that are prevalent today is the only solution. 
 
Head Lacrosse Coach Meghan Dennehy accepted the Challenge for her team looks forward to increasing awareness about this important cause. "While we play to win on the field, we never lose sight of how lucky we are to be able do just that. The LaCROSSe Out Cancer Challenge provides our players the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for a cause that is much bigger than them. It teaches our students that each of us has a part to play – on the field and off."
 
"Creating a world without pediatric cancer takes all of us," explained Bonnie Lattimore, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. "Research takes a lot of funding and progress is limited by a lack of resources.  We're grateful to the caring coaches and players for bringing awareness to the critical necessity of transforming pediatric cancer care by increasing support to advance research." 

Due to research advances, overall survival rates have grown by 70 percent in the past 40 years. Forms of leukemia that a generation ago were almost universally fatal are now almost universally curable. This is significant because leukemia is still the most commonly diagnosed pediatric cancer. Still, about 20 percent of kids with pediatric cancer do not survive today and two-thirds of those who do suffer long-lasting effects from their treatment. This can include infertility, hormone disruption, reduced muscle mass and cardiac issues, among others. To address these challenges, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation invests in research that pushes the boundaries of science and accelerates the development of new treatments and diagnostic tools specifically for children's and adolescents' developing bodies.
 
"There is a direct correlation between the total funding donated to research and the number of innovative ideas that can be tested simultaneously," Lattimore explained. " Our goal is always to move treatment out of the lab and into improved patient care. That is why money donated to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is invested in research within 12 months."

This year, the UVA Wise Women's Lacrosse team is accepting the Challenge in recognition of Madeline Cashio, the daughter of two professors at UVA Wise who just this past Friday was told there was a mass in her chest that Doctors found. They are still determining the extent but our love and thoughts are with her and her family during this difficult time as she navigates next steps at St. Jude.

Each day during the week of March 18^th. 2024 the UVA Wise Lacrosse Team will complete 47 reps of wall ball. The effort involved in completing this challenge and pushing through even when tired and feeling depleted is meant to symbolize the challenges kids with cancer must endure as they undergo treatment for this life-shattering disease. 

The UVA Wise Women's Lacrosse team hopes to help make breakthroughs happen by encouraging supporters to donate to research.  No donation is too small and $50 will fund one hour of research.   Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so here Donation Link.