Team Lax for Leukemia Wins Tourney, Raises Funds for Children's Healthcare

A high school boys’ lacrosse team created with a magnanimous mission in mind has won their first tournament of the summer. Team Lax for Leukemia, formed after the young daughter of one of the coaches was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, won the high school division of the Shake n’ Bake Summer Showdown in Gastonia, N.C., June 26-27.

Team Lax for Leukemia was put together by Patrick Young, Northview High School’s varsity defensive coach for two years, including during the 2014 state championship-winning season. That was the year Young’s 4-year-old daughter, Ella, was diagnosed with leukemia and received a two-and-a-half-year treatment plan from Children’s Heathcare of Atlanta. Now 5 and in the maintenance phase of treatment, Ella and her family – including mom, Kelly, and brothers Ryan and Noah – are working to raise awareness of the disease and funds for families at Children’s Healthcare with the help of 25 high school lacrosse players from various North Atlanta high schools, including Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview.

The summer team evolved from special Lax for Leukemia Nights held by both the Northview boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams this past spring. Young hopes to keep the momentum with this special summer travel team.

For this first tournament, the team raised nearly $1,500 through contributions, Lax for Leukemia magnet sales and a raffle for two Cascade R helmets, donated by a team parent. Funds will be used to purchase items needed by families the Youngs interact with at Children’s Healthcare and are earmarked for everything from basic supplies to over-the-counter nausea-fighting drugs to Chemo Ducks, stuffed animals given to help soothe children receiving treatment (see ChemoDuck.org for more information).

Team members, most of whom also play for other summer squads, will come together again for two fall tournaments. The Youngs hope to make Lax for Leukemia a recurring summer team, adding additional age groups in the future. More information will soon be available at www.lax4leukemia.com.

Team members include, front row (from left), Christian Bolden, Colin Sather, Aaron Pahz, Griffin Goggans, Ella, Michael Wall, Jackson Carpenter, Noah Johnson. Middle row (from left), Justin Hopkins, Charlie Miller, James Boice, Matt Kuhlke, Andrew Wemyss, Kevin Siatkowski, Adam Kashan, Trammell Lovingood, Haydon Koch. Back row (from left), Coach Carter Johnson, Haydon Rozalski, Jordan Rivard, Timmy Gage, Jordan Dietz, Chase Hicks, William Webster, Cash Callaway, Troy Campbell, Cole Johnson, Coach Justin Westbrook and Coach Patrick Young.

Ella Young is pictured holding a Team Lax for Leukemia helmet.