PISCATAWAY, N.J. (January 11, 2012) – The Rutgers women’s lacrosse program, which supports the Children’s Tumor Foundation and its adopted little sister Genna Camiolo, has planned a fundraising initiative, keeping in line with its continued commitment to serving the community. Head coach Laura Brand-Sias and the Rutgers staff will run the Unite Half Marathon in April and are seeking supporters and donations to make a gift in Genna’s name.
Donations can be made at http://ctf.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=491205&supid=349900942. Fans can lend support and find out details by visiting the ‘Run For Genna’ Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RunForGenna.
“We have developed a wonderful bond with Genna and the Camiolo family,” said Brand-Sias. “For all the joy and laughs the Camiolo family has brought us, we hope that we can offer support in return. I am hopeful that people will join in our fight to help fund research so that we can find a cure for childhood tumors. No child should have to endure what Genna has gone through in her young life.”
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) medical foundation dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by the neurofibromatoses (NF). Both assistant coaches Lisa Ojea and Anne Murray, as well as athletic trainer Jen Steinberg, will run in the half marathon.
The women’s lacrosse team became involved with the Friends of Jaclyn in 2008 after adopting Genna, who suffers from pediatric brain tumors. Friends of Jaclyn is a charitable organization dedicated to raising public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. Funds will be used to improve the quality of life for children who are afflicted with a brain tumor, as well as donating contributions to pediatric brain tumor research.
Genna has attended countless Scarlet Knight matches, occasionally serving as an as the honorary captain, as she did against Delaware (2009), Connecticut (2010) and No. 11 Syracuse (2011). The women’s lacrosse team has engaged in a number of events to help support Genna, most recently running the N.Y. Marathon and joining the Camiolo family at the Race for Hope in Philadelphia in November 2009. The 5K Run/Walk is one of the country’s largest fundraisers for the brain tumor community. Brand-Sias and assistant coach Kelly Nangle also ran in the Philadelphia Half Marathon for the second time in 2009 on behalf of Genna.
For more information on the Children’s Tumor Foundation visit www.ctf.org and to become involved with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, please visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women’s lacrosse, follow the program on Twitter (@rulaxbrand). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with http://www.ScarletKnights.com.