Lacrosse Dedicating Wednesday to "Cause Day"

Photo by: Mitchell Leff

Lacrosse Dedicating Wednesday to "Cause Day"

2.11.20 | Women's Lacrosse

Temple lacrosse is having the Fourth-Annual "Cause Day" when the Owls host Rutgers on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Each team member chose a cause and organization to support that's meaningful to them.

Gabby Acker
Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation

Edward Taylor Coombs was an alumnus from my high school, Hatboro-Horsham and went onto playing Lacrosse at Marist College. However, in August of 2011, after only completing one academic year at Marist, Edward died in a fatal car accident. The Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation was created to continue Edward's legacy of academic and athletic talents by providing financial assistance to outstanding student scholars/athletes so they can pursue their goals and reach their full potential. In addition, this foundation works with high school students around the issues of responsible decision making through seminars and forums.
http://etcfoundation34.org/

Wynston Archer
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

LLS is the world's largest nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. I chose this organization because my Mom had parotid gland cancer and at the age of 30 underwent surgery to remove it. This organization would help raise awareness of lymphoma, cancer that can develop in cells such as lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus and other parts of the body.
https://www.lls.org

Eryn Beal
Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes Research Foundation

This organization is the leading research foundation for Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that has affected my family heavily. In 2008, my grandfather died from complications of Type 1 Diabetes and struggled with it his whole life. I chose this organization because of the impact the disease has had on my family and me.
https://www.jdrf.org

Jackie Cerchio
To Write Love on Her Arms

TWLOHA is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
https://twloha.com/

Valerie Cradler
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

I chose The National Multiple Sclerosis Society for my aunt who suffers from MS. This foundation funds research programs and education for the disease. Valerie Patricia is - and will always be - one of my role models. Through her fight with MS and the help of this foundation, the cause has become very important to me.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org

Charessa Crosse
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn

Lizzie Frederick
One Love Foundation

Relationship abuse is a very prevalent problem that does not receive as much attention as it needs. The One Love Foundation helps young adults identify relationship abuse and how to safely handle the situation.
https://www.joinonelove.org

Maddie Gebert
The Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA

I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 15 and suffered 3 major seizures last year. The EFEPA works on educational programs to inform people about epilepsy and what living with epilepsy is like, as well as working to find a cure through advocacy and research.
https://www.efepa.org/

Lydia Hetznecker
The Ocean Cleanup

The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization that is developing advanced technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans. Plastic pollution impacts more than 600 marine species and it also carries toxic pollutants into the food chain that can affect humans. The Ocean Cleanup aims to cleanup 90% of ocean plastic pollution by 2040 to help improve ecosystems, health, and economies.
https://theoceancleanup.com/

Kessina Heyn
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

This is the major children's hospital-based out of Atlanta. They consistently provide care and emergency services to children and young adults.
https://www.choa.org/

Meghan Hoffman
National Fallen Officer Foundation

The National Fallen Officer Foundation is a 501(c)3 police-support organization designed to assist the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line-of-duty nationwide. The National Fallen Officer Foundation's strategic mission is to: raise awareness about threats to officer safety, provide advocacy in support of "fallen officer" families, and to provide financial assistance to all impacted families.
https://www.nationalfof.org/about.php

Margot Hotham
Unite For Her

Unite for her is a nonprofit organization that aims to bridge the gap for breast cancer patients, focusing on wellness initiatives that will positively impact their health, as well as the health of all women and girls. I chose this organization because every year my high school soccer team would have a "Panthers Go Pink" game and the profits from the game went to Unite for Her. I even got to meet one of the representatives who explained all the amazing work the organization is doing. I really appreciate this organizations goals and what it stands for therefore I have chosen this charity.
https://uniteforher.org/

Gabrielle Kirsch
Breast Cancer Research Foundation

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is one of the leading breast cancer charities to help find a cure and fund research for prevention. I chose this charity because of my aunt who has been faced with breast cancer, which no one should have to do. This charity also gives 90% of profits to breast cancer research.
https://www.bcrf.org/

Michelle Koscinski
Alzheimer's Foundation of America

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) mission is to provide great care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses and to their families and caregivers. I chose this foundation because my mommom was personally affected with Alzheimer's and it was something that was very hard to watch. I think it is important to support and raise awareness about this serious disease.
https://alzfdn.org/

Maryn Lowell
Women's Law Project

WLP is a local non-profit committed to providing equal access to reproductive healthcare and abortion, improving institutional response to all forms of violence against women, challenging sex and gender discrimination, and advocating for workplace equality and economic justice. I was a telephone counselor at WLP providing legal information and resources to callers in Philadelphia and Southeastern PA. The more funds given to this organization the better served the community will be and the more access people will have to quality pro bono legal resources.
womenslawproject.org

Olivia Martin
Haitians helping Haitians

This is an organization that I have worked with first hand, having traveled to Haiti with and done youth ministry. This group is directly tied with my church from home and is run by a couple who has duel citizenship in the United States and Haiti. This couple has worked extremely hard to make as much of an impact in Haiti as they can so I chose this organization.
https://outreachtohaiti.org/programs

Belle Mastropietro
JDRF

JDRF is a nonprofit organization that funds type 1 diabetes research. I chose this cause because my sister was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was about 3 years old. This is something that she has had to deal with for her entire life, and it is not an easy thing for her to deal with/go through. It is my hope that eventually, the JDRF foundation will be able to find a cure for this disease that affects so many young children every day.
https://www.jdrf.org

Riley McGowan
Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a program that allows people with different disabilities to compete and participate in athletic events.
https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/donate

Kara Nakrasius
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

This foundation raises awareness, funds scientific research, and provides resources/aid to those affected by suicide. I chose the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention because I lost my brother freshman year to suicide and would like to support people who have been also impacted and believe it is important to raise awareness.
https://afsp.org

Abbey Overman
live4mat

liv4mat is an organization that was created to honor the life of my brother's good friend Matt Fabian. The hope of the program is to continue to spread his infectious love and positivity to all while spreading suicide awareness and prevention for teens everywhere.
https://www.liv4mat.com/

Jen Rodzewich
American Red Cross

I believe that blood donation is a serious priority in our country and needs more attention. My dad is one of the only people I know who constantly donates blood when he is allowed to. He has O- blood so he is a universal donor but every type of blood donation is important. I try to donate as much as possible but sometimes I am unable to. The Red Cross is an organization made up of mostly volunteers and it is purely working to saves lives.
http://www.redcross.org

Mackenzie Roth
American Heart Association

I chose the American Heart Association because it funds cardiovascular medical research, education on healthy cardiac care, and efforts to reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. This organization is important to me because many people in my family have heart disease, or have passed away from heart disease or stroke. The American Heart Association is also focusing on other current issues such as the vaping epidemic among the youth in America.
https://www.heart.org

Julia Ryan
Cradles to Crayons

I have had the opportunity to volunteer with this organization multiple times and their dedication to providing resources such as school supplies and clothing to homeless and low-income children serves children right here in North Philadelphia. It's incredibly important to me to give back to the community that I live and go to school in and to advocate and help those who cannot help themselves.
https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/

Abaigeal Ryan
Mental Health America

Mental Health is an ever-growing conversation in our society. With more and more research, charities such as MHA can better help those suffering from mental illness in the US. Many people in my life suffer from various mental illness and charities such as MHA help provide important and reassuring information to people like them to let them know they are never alone.
https://www.mhanational.org/about

Julie Schickling
JDRF

JDFR is an organization that fund type 1 diabetes research. This cause is specifically important to me because of its impact it has had on my family. Several of my family members suffer from this, or have had their life taken from this disease. I hope that one day there will be a cure found and so many young lives can be saved.
https://www.jdrf.org

Courtney Taylor
Special Olympics

Special Olympics allows people with intellectual disabilities to participate in olympic sports year round. Currently, they have about 32 individual and team sports, but they hope to keep growing with sports and athletes. This is special to me because I grew up being around people with disabilities, and they just want to be able to play sports just as normal people do. I was a volunteer for Special Olympics growing up as well.
https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/donate

Olivia Thompson
Patty Pollatos Fund

I chose the Patty Pollatos Fund because they helped my cousin who went through two liver transplants with financial support and they give hope to a lot of others who are going through hard times.
http://www.ppfinc.org/

Maeve Tobin
St. Jude

I chose this foundation because it encourages and supports cancer research for children.
https://www.stjude.org/

Kimmy Weinstock
March of Dimes

My family and I have been involved in raising awareness for the March of Dimes foundation for many years. My family and want every baby to have the best possible start in life. We want to create a change for the babies who are born prematurely and we do so in volunteering, making donations, and marching to spread more awareness.
marchofdimes.org

Bridget Whitaker
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

My brother was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age four and not long after that my dad was diagnosed with Colitis. I see all of the treatments that they both have to go through and I see all of the sacrifices that my family has and continues to make over the years to keep them healthy. This organization supports something close to my family so that is why I chose it.

Lauren Zinkl
National Breast Cancer Foundation

My grandmother and great aunt both had breast cancer. My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor due to early detection. The Nation Breast Cancer Foundation focuses on early detection as well as serves for women in need.
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org