Lax for LLS: South Side athletes combat cancer

South Side High School’s lacrosse teams played and won a double-header last weekend, as they raised money for cancer research at the same time.

On a rainy evening on April 27, the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams came out to Rockville Centre’s Darcy Field to score for their school and fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), a national health organization dedicated to funding research, cures and access to treatments for blood cancer patients.

“This is greater than Rockville Centre,” said Olivia Watterson, captain of the girls’ team. Cancer is bigger than all of us, so for us to tackle it as a community is special. If we can make even a small difference, then why not?”

The event was organized by South Side Lacrosse Checking Out Cancer, an organization founded at the start of the season by Robert Devlin, head coach for the varsity girls’ lacrosse team, his assistant coach, Kelsey Gregerson, and Steve DiPietro, head coach of the boys’ squad.

“There’s a lot of families right here in this town that are affected by this disease,” Gregerson said. The organization was inspired by an alum, who wished to remain anonymous, who was diagnosed with leukemia but overcame it, as well as family members of current and former players who have died from cancer, according to DiPietro.

“It’s about the community getting together and raising awareness, and this is the perfect way to do that,” Gregerson said.

During the games, the athletes sold T-shirts, bracelets, food and other goodies. While the girls fundraised, the boys defeated the Mepham Pirates, 14-5, and vise versa, as the girls beat the Seaford Vikings, 11-10.

“I wish the weather was better but we’re here,” DiPietro said at the event. He added that though many people worldwide are affected by cancer, “it hit our lacrosse family hard.”

“If it helps in any way,” he said, “then we’ve done something good.”