Buffalo, N.Y. - Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization that works
throughout the northeast (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England)
to better the lives of children who have life threatening illnesses. Team
IMPACT matches these children with college sports teams so that they can
experience whats its like to be a part of a team and a distraction from the
constant tests and surgeries that have become a daily reality. Each child
becomes an official member of the team for life.
Addie joined our team this year at the beginning of conference play. She
suffers from Wilm's Tumor, a rare kidney cancer specific to young
children. Addie hangs out in our locker room with us before games and also
at half time. She has her own spot in the locker room, and even her own
jersey that she wears to all our home games. She also helped our team run
the cotton candy station at the bonfire last week. Our hope is to provide
Addie the kind of family-like relationship that we share as a team at Canisius
College, on and off the field, and even after we graduate.