COREY LERCHE, 17 HITS A HOME RUN FOR GO4THEGOAL PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION
May 10, 2012 – Merchantville, NJ: Corey Lerche, a 17-year old senior at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ has taken his home run hitting talents at the plate to help raise money for Go4theGoal Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
In 2011, influenced by Brian Domenico, president of the Power Hitting Showcase program, Corey sponsored Sean DePatto, a 9-year old boy battling leukemia when he participated with the top 100 high school power hitters from around the world at the Power Hitting Showcase at Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field in Phoenix. So touched by Sean’s courageous battle, Corey made it a personal mission to help others suffering from pediatric cancer. Sean passed away in February 2012, which touched Corey very deeply. “This experience has taught me to appreciate things in my own life knowing what other kids go through," says Corey.
Before Sean passed away, Corey had learned of pediatric cancer foundation Go4theGoal (G4G) and its “Lace-Up 4 Pediatric Cancer” movement. He approached his baseball coach, Frank Salvano and immediately received approval for the St. Joe’s baseball team to wear - and sell - Go4theGoal’s signature NEON yellow shoelaces as the kick off to a major campaign to raise money for G4G’s pediatric cancer programs.
As the Northern New Jersey home run leader, Corey came up with a “home run” of a fundraising idea. Now, every time a Saint Joe’s baseball player hits a home run, spectators flock to the donation buckets at the field to contribute to G4G as a tribute to Sean.
So inspired by Corey’s passion for helping kids with cancer, local businesses and families have pledged money for every home run hit by a Saint Joe's player. Collectively, the team has raised nearly $5,000. And Corey has certainly done his part. He is leading Northern New Jersey in home runs.
Corey added, "While doing something that I love to do, I'm able to raise money to help kids with pediatric cancer accomplish what they want to do. I never realized how many people were willing to support me in helping raise this money. Everyone wants to help.”
More information about Go4theGoal Foundation and Lace-Up 4 Pediatric Cancer can be found at Go4theGoal.org.
ABOUT GO4THEGOAL FOUNDATION
Go4theGoal Foundation - Go4theGoal.org - is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable organization founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard and Beth Stefanacci, soon after their oldest child was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Together with funds raised privately and it’s many unique awareness and fundraising campaigns, including National Dress 4 Pediatric Cancer Day®, Lace-Up 4 Pediatric Cancer® and Richard’s Run® 5K runs, Go4theGoal provides children undergoing cancer treatment and their families with financial assistance, runs fun hospital-based programs, grants special wishes and supplies Apple® electronic products to children and pediatric oncology units in over 30 hospitals across the country. Since 2007, G4G has funded over $500k in innovative pediatric cancer research.
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Contact: Beth Stefanacci
Email: bethstefanacci@go4thegoal.org
Tel: 609.313.9012
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