Delaware Women’s Lacrosse Hopes for Memorable Day at “Forget Me Not” Game on Sunday
April 21, 2012
Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
NEWARK, Del. – Alzheimer’s is a disease that has touched the hearts of members of the University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team and their families.
The Blue Hens will pay special tribute to the Alzheimer’s Association as they take on conference opponent George Mason in a 1 p.m. draw at Delaware Stadium for the Blue Hens’ regular season “Forget Me Not” finale.
Head coach Kateri Linville believes that student-athletes and coaches are expected to work hard everyday to be their best and to give their best to others.
“I am passionate about service and encourage my team to find a passion and to fight for that cause,” said Linville.
The Delaware lacrosse family has supported the Alzheimer's Association since the 2011 season. One member of the Blue Hens whose family has been affected by the disease is sophomore Abbie Hartman. Hartman’s grandmother battled Alzheimer’s for eight years before recently passing away this past February.
"Alzheimer's is an awful disease,” said Hartman. “It was difficult watching my grand mom slowly lose her memory and later struggle to remember the faces of those she loved. I’m so touched that my team has taken an effort to raise awareness and to fundraise for this cause. I look forward to dedicating this game to my grand mom.”
Alzheimer's has also had a huge impact on assistant coach Corrine Drost and her family, as her mom suffers from the disease. Drost, who played for the Blue Hens from 2008-11, said her mom gave her best to raise her, and was in the stands to support her at every one of her collegiate games.
Drost was only 14 years old, a freshman in high school, when her mom was diagnosed with the disease. Her mom has been battling Alzheimer’s for over nine years.
“I cherish every memory I have with my mom and I cherish the memories I have as a part of the Delaware program,” said Drost. “Our Alzheimer's walk last year was one of the most meaningful days for me as a student-athlete at Delaware. My team came together to fight for a cause that hits so close to home for my family. It means a lot to my family and I that the 2012 team chose to continue to fight to end Alzheimer's.”
Last season, the Blue Hens joined over 4,000 Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising $8,000 as a team for the organization to help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. To date, the women’s lacrosse team has raised over $10,000 to the cause and hopes to continue to make an impact.
This year, the team is helping to raise money in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by selling t-shirts as part of its non-profit initiative. These exclusive t-shirts were designed by members of the 2012 women’s lacrosse team with all proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Alzheimer's is an organization that is close to my heart because of how it has affected my lacrosse family,” said senior captain Grace Wills. “It means a lot to the families on the team who have been affected that we have this game for Alzheimer's, and it gives us an opportunity to grow awareness and support for them.”
The t-shirt sale is part of “Forget Me Not” game on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to pack the house with purple and wear the special t-shirts at the game to support the cause.
A limited number of exclusive “Forget Me Not” shirts will also be on sale during pre-game for $15 each.
“The shirt Gracie and Abbie designed for this game really sums up what this cause means to me; memories matter,” Drost continued. “Gracie and Abbie have put a lot of thought and effort into this game. My hope for Gracie is that she will look back on her last game in Delaware stadium knowing that she made a lasting impact on this program as well as an impact on my family and all of those who have loved ones that suffer from this disease."
To help promote awareness, the Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware will have a table on the concourse. The organization is eager to interact with fans and pass out ‘Forget Me Not’ bracelets and seeds. They will also be asking fans to sign their petition to President Obama for a strong national Alzheimer’s plan, which the women’s lacrosse team will sign in their locker room prior to pregame events on Sunday.
Fans can also help take part in helping cure Alzheimer’s by sending donations directly to the Alzheimer’s Association via the address below:
Alzheimer’s Association
ATTN: UD Lacrosse
240 N. James St., Suite 100A
Newport, DE 19804
