For the past seven years, the Springfield College football team has established a relationship with Luke Bradley, a 14-year old from South Hadley, MA. Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization charted to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Team IMPACT initially brought the Bradley family and the Springfield College football family together, but the relationship has grown far beyond a draft party, with Luke since becoming an integral part of our team. This experience has been so much more than any of us expected and Luke and his family have taught us more than any of us could have ever imagined. It feels as if the two families have been connected for much longer than three years. To continue the fight alongside Luke, we are asking for your help and support towards this venture. On Sunday, March 24th, Luke and the rest of his Springfield College football family are teaming up with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven group positioned to raise awareness of childhood cancer and funds for a cure, with their “Shave to Save” initiative at Hangar Pub & Grill in Amherst, MA. Each year, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. In the United States, more children die of cancer than any other disease – more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined. One in five children diagnosed with childhood cancer will not survive, and two out of three children treated for childhood cancer will suffer from long-term effects such as sight and hearing loss, heart disease, secondary cancer and infertility. As it stands now, less than four percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is allotted to the research of childhood cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation uses every dollar raised for childhood cancer research only and have raised over $250 million in research grants since 2005. Finding safer, more effective treatments for childhood cancer can’t be done without you. We hope that you can get involved by donating whatever you can, as every dollar will help make a difference in this battle. To donate, volunteer or learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, visit LINK TO YOUR PAGE HERE. If having trouble with that link, please go to www.stbaldricks.org and our team page is Luke’s Lucky Leprechaun’s. Support of any kid will be greatly appreciated; we hope you join the fight. Thank you in advance for any help and support!! #LUKESTRONGER