Crofton Lacrosse Players Plan Charity Game to Fight Cancer

Courtney Quinn, 15, has spent the past year being a cancer “warrior,” fighting brain cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

“Courtney’s funny with a great positive attitude. Just a normal 15-year-old girl,” said Sarah Miller with the “We Believe Foundation.”

For Courtney and her family, the battle isn’t a solitary mission.

The We Believe Foundation is a Bowie-based charity that works to raise money for teens and young adults (ages 15-35) fighting cancer. The group uses lacrosse games to raise awareness, advocate and raise money to aide families fighting the disease.

On April 14,, the DeMatha Lacrosse “Man Up” Alumni Club and the We Believe Foundation together will host a charity game at Crofton Park on Davidsonville Road as both a fundraiser for Quinn and to raise awareness for testicular cancer screenings, one of the Man Up club’s signature inititatives.

While the game is free to attend, fundraisers around the field will accompany offer food, merchandise and raffles to raise money at the event, including:

• sandwiches (from the Crofton restaurant), hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and baked goods
• “ Just Check Em” T-shirts for sale
• Wristbands for sale
• Raffle featuring certificate, Lawn Services from Seasonal Changes Lawns and Landscapes ($250), Jewelry from Lilac Bijoux (downtown Annapolis), a Coach (Morgan) Wooten Father-Son Basketball Camp certificate ($250 value), and more.

Miller said members of the 2010 Major League Lacrosse National champions, The Chesapeake Bayhawks, are also slated to attend.

“When you have such a devastating cancer and you incur a lot of expenses that are not covered by insurance, eventually you need a little help,” Miller said. She added that the Quinn family’s Crofton and Davidsonville neighbors are leading the charge to help Courtney’s family through this tough time.

“They were initially a very private family. But as you go through the journey there are so many issues that pop up,” Miller said. According to Miller, Courtney has at least two doctor appointments a week.

“She has had at least two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. Every time she has physical therapy it costs at least $75,” Miller said.

“She had to have her braces taken off for her surgeries and now the family can’t afford to put them back on,” Miller said, adding that the fundraiser might allow Courtney to one day continue her orthodontic treatment.

Courtney participates in a home school program though Arundel High School. Miller said she hopes the freshman will one day be able to spend senior year with her classmates at Arundel High.