Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks’ Family Rallies Around the Fight Against Cancer
12/22/2021 10:01:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
This year is no different, as the Mountain Hawks have raised $12,638 as part of HEADstrong's Lax Stache Madness. As explained on its website, Lax Stache Madness is an interactive online fundraiser encouraging student-athletes to TOSS their razors, GROW their mustaches, go HEAD-to-HEAD against teams around the country and RAISE money to HELP families.
"I am incredibly proud of the team for their efforts with the Lax Stache Madness fundraising campaign," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "We are grateful for all those who donated via our team page and our individual player pages. We believe in the mission of the Colleluori family and the HEADstrong organization, and we are happy that we were able to play a small role in the overall success of this campaign."
It's a campaign that has raised more than $612,000 (and counting), exceeding its goal of $600,000. Lehigh stands 13th in money raised out of more than 100 teams participating, and fifth among Division I programs.
The cause hits especially close to home for sophomore Quinn Armstrong, whose mother Bridget has been battling cancer for almost two years.
"The summer coming into my first year at Lehigh, she told my sisters and I what had been going on for a couple months," said Quinn. "It was definitely tough coming into my first year of college with news like that. It was pretty emotional, but she just wanted us all to enjoy our respective experiences.
"I don't think we (any of the siblings) thought of it much when we were at school. When we reached out, she would always respond and she would always sound like her normal self, which was awesome."
For as good or bad as a given day would be, she would make sure she was there for her children, and all those around her.
"My mom would make it seem like she didn't have cancer," said Quinn. "She cared more about how we were feeling than how she was. She could be in bed, tired, no energy all day, but if one of us needs something or we call, she's right there to answer it and she's always there to be our mom."
Bridget's initial diagnosis was colon cancer.
"She was in remission for that, but last week, we just found out her liver is now affected by the cancer," said Quinn. "She's doing well, though. It's pretty small. This is something she'll have to battle with her whole life."
Much of Bridget's treatment came from home, due partly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"She was able to do almost all her treatment from the comfort of her home," said Quinn. "She'd go in on a Monday, get all the IV treatments, all that stuff done, then come home and for the first couple days, she'd be in bed – not leaving all day. Towards the end of the week, she'd be able to get out of bed, go downstairs and get some jobs done around the house."
Cancer has reminded the Armstrongs the importance of taking one day at a time, and savoring every moment.
"It has definitely brought our family a lot closer," said Quinn. "We were already pretty close, but news like [cancer] makes you think family first. Not that everybody doesn't do that already. But it's also taught me to not take anything for granted. I've been a pretty fortunate kid my whole life and it's something that immediately gives you a little bit of a reality check and makes you step up being the oldest sibling."
At first, Quinn did not tell others at Lehigh about what his mom was going through.
"I kept it to myself," said Quinn. "I didn't want it to be an excuse and have all the check-ins every day. Because honestly, I didn't need that – just wanting to focus on school and lacrosse. The team did a great job of making me not think about it, whether it was a lift or just hanging out with the guys.
"We're one big family."
A few months later, Quinn decided to share the news with his Lehigh family, beginning with head coach Kevin Cassese.
"It was about midway through the semester; I needed to come home for something to see my family," said Quinn. "I ended up telling Coach the whole thing with my mom. He was super supportive. He was able to resonate with me through his own mother's experience with cancer. It's definitely nice to have someone like that be on your side in such a really impactful way."
The Mountain Hawk family has been there for Quinn's family, and the overall fight against cancer, which affects so many people either directly or indirectly.
"When I'm having a tough day, I know there are people out there who are unfortunately having a worse one," he said. "It's good to give back. Our team [through HEADstrong's Lax Stache Madness] set a goal of raising 200 dollars a person, and everybody has to be signed up. It's a great way to give back."
Student-athletes are competitive, and they rise to the occasion, wanting to beat their teammates and other programs around the nation (in raising money).
"Every year, I send an email to pretty much the same group of people. It's a mix of really close family friends, relatives and cousins," said Quinn. "I just say my team's doing a fundraiser for cancer, for families who are in need of money. It'd be much appreciated if you could donate a small amount. My personal goal is 200 dollars."
Quinn has far exceeded that goal, raising $1,232 (as of Dec. 20) – the most among the Mountain Hawks.
"I've been lucky enough to get donations as much as 500 dollars and 100 dollars from one single person," he said. "Even a small donation makes a big difference, and is greatly appreciated."
Money is important in the fight against cancer, but so is awareness and Armstrong has this message for others who are facing the battle of a lifetime.
"Don't be afraid to share your story," he said. "For me, I was definitely a little hesitant to tell people in the beginning, but everybody out there is going to be supportive of you. It's always nice to have some outlets, so don't be afraid to tell people. You don't have to be embarrassed, you don't have to be scared."
Over the years, the Lehigh men's lacrosse family has rallied around the fight against cancer.
This year is no different, as the Mountain Hawks have raised $12,638 as part of HEADstrong's Lax Stache Madness. As explained on its website, Lax Stache Madness is an interactive online fundraiser encouraging student-athletes to TOSS their razors, GROW their mustaches, go HEAD-to-HEAD against teams around the country and RAISE money to HELP families.
"I am incredibly proud of the team for their efforts with the Lax Stache Madness fundraising campaign," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "We are grateful for all those who donated via our team page and our individual player pages. We believe in the mission of the Colleluori family and the HEADstrong organization, and we are happy that we were able to play a small role in the overall success of this campaign."
It's a campaign that has raised more than $612,000 (and counting), exceeding its goal of $600,000. Lehigh stands 13th in money raised out of more than 100 teams participating, and fifth among Division I programs.
The cause hits especially close to home for sophomore Quinn Armstrong, whose mother Bridget has been battling cancer for almost two years.
"The summer coming into my first year at Lehigh, she told my sisters and I what had been going on for a couple months," said Quinn. "It was definitely tough coming into my first year of college with news like that. It was pretty emotional, but she just wanted us all to enjoy our respective experiences.
"I don't think we (any of the siblings) thought of it much when we were at school. When we reached out, she would always respond and she would always sound like her normal self, which was awesome."
For as good or bad as a given day would be, she would make sure she was there for her children, and all those around her.
"My mom would make it seem like she didn't have cancer," said Quinn. "She cared more about how we were feeling than how she was. She could be in bed, tired, no energy all day, but if one of us needs something or we call, she's right there to answer it and she's always there to be our mom."
Bridget's initial diagnosis was colon cancer.
"She was in remission for that, but last week, we just found out her liver is now affected by the cancer," said Quinn. "She's doing well, though. It's pretty small. This is something she'll have to battle with her whole life."
Much of Bridget's treatment came from home, due partly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"She was able to do almost all her treatment from the comfort of her home," said Quinn. "She'd go in on a Monday, get all the IV treatments, all that stuff done, then come home and for the first couple days, she'd be in bed – not leaving all day. Towards the end of the week, she'd be able to get out of bed, go downstairs and get some jobs done around the house."
Cancer has reminded the Armstrongs the importance of taking one day at a time, and savoring every moment.
"It has definitely brought our family a lot closer," said Quinn. "We were already pretty close, but news like [cancer] makes you think family first. Not that everybody doesn't do that already. But it's also taught me to not take anything for granted. I've been a pretty fortunate kid my whole life and it's something that immediately gives you a little bit of a reality check and makes you step up being the oldest sibling."
At first, Quinn did not tell others at Lehigh about what his mom was going through.
"I kept it to myself," said Quinn. "I didn't want it to be an excuse and have all the check-ins every day. Because honestly, I didn't need that – just wanting to focus on school and lacrosse. The team did a great job of making me not think about it, whether it was a lift or just hanging out with the guys.
"We're one big family."
A few months later, Quinn decided to share the news with his Lehigh family, beginning with head coach Kevin Cassese.
"It was about midway through the semester; I needed to come home for something to see my family," said Quinn. "I ended up telling Coach the whole thing with my mom. He was super supportive. He was able to resonate with me through his own mother's experience with cancer. It's definitely nice to have someone like that be on your side in such a really impactful way."
The Mountain Hawk family has been there for Quinn's family, and the overall fight against cancer, which affects so many people either directly or indirectly.
"When I'm having a tough day, I know there are people out there who are unfortunately having a worse one," he said. "It's good to give back. Our team [through HEADstrong's Lax Stache Madness] set a goal of raising 200 dollars a person, and everybody has to be signed up. It's a great way to give back."
Student-athletes are competitive, and they rise to the occasion, wanting to beat their teammates and other programs around the nation (in raising money).
"Every year, I send an email to pretty much the same group of people. It's a mix of really close family friends, relatives and cousins," said Quinn. "I just say my team's doing a fundraiser for cancer, for families who are in need of money. It'd be much appreciated if you could donate a small amount. My personal goal is 200 dollars."
Quinn has far exceeded that goal, raising $1,232 (as of Dec. 20) – the most among the Mountain Hawks.
"I've been lucky enough to get donations as much as 500 dollars and 100 dollars from one single person," he said. "Even a small donation makes a big difference, and is greatly appreciated."
Money is important in the fight against cancer, but so is awareness and Armstrong has this message for others who are facing the battle of a lifetime.
"Don't be afraid to share your story," he said. "For me, I was definitely a little hesitant to tell people in the beginning, but everybody out there is going to be supportive of you. It's always nice to have some outlets, so don't be afraid to tell people. You don't have to be embarrassed, you don't have to be scared."
Players Mentioned
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