HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Lincoln Memorial University baseball program has joined forces with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Vs. Cancer program to defeat childhood brain cancer – the deadliest disease affecting children in the United States.
 
Started by a pediatric brain cancer survivor and former collegiate athlete, Vs. Cancer empowers any sports team, any athlete, and any community to help kids with cancer. As a signature fundraising campaign of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Vs. Cancer proceeds help fund local hospital programs for children battling brain tumors and other cancers, financial assistance and critical resources for patient families nationwide, and groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors – the deadliest form of pediatric cancer. 
 
"During the summer of 2009 I was given an opportunity to serve the Collegiate National Team with fellow catcher and eventual founder of Vs. Cancer, Chase Jones," said head coach Justin Haywood."  Little did I know that Chase was a cancer survivor, however, his genuine passion for baseball was evident from the moment I met him so we bonded quickly. His teammates at UNC all shaved their heads to support him during his battle, and that visual support became an idea that Chase ran with, which led to the forming of his foundation Vs. Cancer.
 
His passion to help others continues inspires me to this day and that is why I have been so passionate to have LMU baseball involved with Vs. Cancer. As college baseball players and athletes in general, the amount of failure that the game produces can be overwhelming. In addition to the stresses of performing in the classroom at an elite institution, it's easy to begin to feel sorry for yourself. Vs. Cancer helps our players put their time as student-athletes into perspective, when in reality their difficult days on the field and in the classroom pales in comparison to what children with cancer are battling every day all across the world.
 
Some of these children don't have the opportunity to play t-ball or any sport for that matter. Vs. Cancer allows our young men to use their platform as student-athletes for something so much greater than a college degree or winning a championship. They get to help save lives of children right here at East Tennessee Children's Hospital!"
 
In partnership with Vs. Cancer, Lincoln Memorial has selected the pediatric oncology unit at East Tennessee Children's Hospital to receive a portion of the funds they raise. Thanks to the generous support of friends, family and fans, the team is on its way to meeting their fundraising goal. You can contribute by making a donation here: https://team.curethekids.org/team/395503.
 
Dave Mays, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Senior Vs. Cancer Campaign Manager understands how vital these athletes are to the nonprofit's mission.
 
"Vs. Cancer athletes are changing the game for children with cancer. Brain cancer is the deadliest and most common form of cancer in children under 15, but each Vs. Cancer game gets us one step closer to a cure. Together we are fighting for healthier, happier futures."
 
About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation 
Every day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It's a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF's mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the patient-family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child's journey. The Vs. Cancer Foundation merged with the PBTF in 2016 and now is a signature fundraising campaign of the nonprofit. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we work together to put kids first. Learn more at www.curethekids.org. To get involved with Vs. Cancer, visit www.vs-ca

-LMU-