The Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation

On 8/4/2020 Camden will be cutting his hair and in the process, supporting two great organizations: Wigs for Kids (wigsforkids.org) and The Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation (CPWLF)(@worldlacrossefoundation).  

Camden was introduced to lacrosse when he was just two years old.  He saw a high school team practicing at a local park and asked "Momma!  What's THAT?"  He was hooked!  In kindergarten he started to play for the local organization, The St. Pete Dragons, which remained his home base through elementary school.  He quickly found travel lacrosse as a way to keep the stick in his hand during the off season and has played with the Sandsharks, Valor, Tarpons and 3D Florida.  He was invited to try out for the 3D National team this summer, unfortunately the camp was cancelled due to COVID.  

Being from the west coast of Florida, Camden quickly learned of the legendary Casey Powell and the CPWLF.  Although Casey's lacrosse accolades are too many to name, he was the number one draft pick for the National Lacrosse League in 1998 and played professional lacrosse from 1999-2016.  In 2016 Casey was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  The CPWLF  creates Support Moments for severely injured and sick lacrosse players working with World Lacrosse Ambassadors: professional lacrosse players, professional lacrosse teams, as well as collegiate teams to create fantastic experiences for a lacrosse player battling a life fight.

Camden will be attending Admiral Farragut Academy(AFA) this Fall and is looking forward to playing varsity lacrosse for the Blue Jackets.  As word spread that Camden would be attending AFA, people's immediate reaction revolved around his hair!  As a college prep, military based academy, the first question was always "Do you have to cut your hair?" quickly followed by "I'd pay to see that!"

The main event will be recorded and posted online.  For those that would like to join us for  a "physically distanced" event can join the fun!  Any funds raised will be donated, one lacrosse player to another, to the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation.

"How can you tell if someone is an Ironman?"
"Don't worry, they'll tell you!"

In my quest to achieve the title of Ironman I have been inspired by two young men who have shown me what true strength and a fighting spirit is all about!

At the age of 17, John Michael Night suffered a devastating stroke just two weeks after committing to play Division 1 Lacrosse for Mercer University that coming fall. He was diagnosed with Locked-In Syndrome that left him cognizant but unable to move any voluntary muscles. His initial ability to communicate was limited to eye movements. John Michael worked tirelessly at Shepherd Center on his initial rehabilitation and now continues his intense therapy schedule in his home state of Florida working on basic movements that most of us take for granted.

Noah Hays was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, cancer of the muscle and bone, and was told that rather than spend his junior year of high school with his friends he would be in and out of the hospital enduring 52 weeks of chemotherapy. Noah completed those 52 weeks with courage and strength and was cleared to return to school his senior year and Captain his lacrosse team as starting Varsity goalie. After a routine scan in March, 2017 Noah and his family were told his cancer had returned. He would once again start a new round of cancer fighting treatments and cut short his senior year both in the classroom and on the lacrosse field.

John Michael and Noah have inspired a community of support with their optimism, bravery and strength in the face of adversity.

The Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation offers "support moments" to injured and sick lacrosse players. I first learned of this foundation on John Michael's Facebook page when I saw that Casey Powell himself had visited John Michael during the early days of his rehab at Shepherd. If you know lacrosse you know that Casey Powell is a superstar of the sport with records/awards at both the collegiate and professional level. HIs most recent honor is his induction into The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

When I learned that Noah's cancer had returned I decided to reach out to the foundation to see if they could offer some type of "support moment" for Noah. I mentioned that his senior night for the lacrosse team was quickly approaching and asked if they could send him a note or a t-shirt. Within 10 days of my initial email not only did Noah recieve a t-shirt in time for senior night but so much more with the highlight being a video with well wishes from current collegiate, professional and retired goalies from across the country! Truly amazing and done with such speed that I know those that were asked to participate must have dropped everything, made their video and sent it in for the foundation to put together! They all had encouraging and heartfelt words for Noah.

The Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation did not hesitate to offer their support to John Michael or Noah and continue to support them today.

Not once did the foundation request a donation from me for their efforts.

Ironman triathlon consists of three sports:  a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run all done in that order within a 17 hour time limit. I will be competing in Ironman Maryland, October 7, 2017 in Cambridge, Maryland. I am dedicating my training and race to these two young men and requesting donations to the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation so that they may continue their good work creating support moments for sick and injured lacrosse players. An equal portion of the funds will go directly to John Michael and Noah to help cover some of the mounting expenses that a prolonged illness can create.

I am asking you to support John Micheal, Noah and the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation by making a donation! All funds raised will be divided equally amongst the three. 
TriStrong!
I thank you in advance and please know that any amount is appreciated.

With gratitude, 
Annie Morelock