June 9, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - Old Dominion football assistant coaches Ron Whitcomb and Mike Zyskowski joined nearly 1,700 high school football players at the seventh annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp at Lafayette College last weekend to help raise more than $67,000 to Lauren's First and Goal Foundation for pediatric brain tumor research, cancer services and family support.
For the year, the foundation has received more than $213,000 in donations, including a $100,000 commitment from the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. With the proceeds from the camp, the foundation has raised more than $1 million since its creation in 2004.
"The success of this camp would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers and coaches and the unwavering support of Lafayette College," said John Loose, who created Lauren's First and Goal in honor of his 13-year-old daughter Lauren, a pediatric brain tumor survivor. "It is their dedication to this event that allows us to continue funding the search for a cure and to help families who battle this disease every day."
The Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp welcomed high school student-athletes from 15 different states and Canada, who received offensive and defensive instruction from Whitcomb, Zyskowski, and the more than 250 volunteer coaches representing colleges and universities across the nation.
Along with the Pennsylvania camp, the foundation will be hosting another one-day event at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio on Sunday, June 27. The camps raise money through a $30 registration fee for each student-athlete as well as non-camper donations. Of every dollar received, the foundation donates 90 cents toward research, services, family support and awareness of pediatric brain tumors and cancer.
More information about the camps and the foundation is available at www.laurensfirstandgoal.org.