Catholic Memorial School Senior Shoots Hoops for Life

Michael Slonina didn't sleep last night. In fact, he didn't get anywhere near his bed -- he was at 's gymnasium shooting hoops. 

Michael "Mike" Slonina, an 18-year-old senior from Watertown, completed the marathon of all hoop shoots: a 24 hour continuum of shooting hoops to raise money for brain cancer research.

Donations can be made here: massgeneral.org/ashotforlife.

Last spring, Slonina spent several hours shooting hoops after his mom, Betsy Cullen, told him she'd been diagnosed with a brain tumor of an unknown nature. Faced with the very real possibility of cancer, Slonina retreated to the basketball court, and not long after decided to take on a personal challenge.

A year later, Slonina has trained, planned, and rallied for A Shot For Life, and shot hoops from 12 p.m. Saturday to 12 p.m. Sunday. He aims to raise $30,001 dollars for brain cancer research. As he shoots, he has two things to be grateful for: a band of teammates who will stay with him through the night, and a family bursting at the seams with well-deserved pride.

Well, one more thing too.

On March 8th, Mike's mom found out that her tumor hasn't grown and most likely isn't cancerous. A beaming picture of health court side, she's cheering Mike on as he raises money for those who are still battling fear of cancer.

Mike is smiling, and he's up for the challenge. One hoop at a time.