ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – A year ago, the St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team raised nearly $4,500 to help raise awareness for the battle against Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, prompting the team to lift their goal to $5,600 this year.
The Bonnies blew away that goal and nearly doubled it, raising $9,372 to go toward the CJD Foundation. Funds support families of those battling the rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease which affects about one person in every million people per year – around 500 cases in the United States each year. The disease has no known cure and is unknown by many as it is so rare. During the 2019 season, CJD hit home for members of the Bona women's lacrosse program as Bonnies team member Jessica Losquadro tragically lost her father, Michael, to the disease.
"I'm so proud and grateful for my teammates after seeing what we were able to do this year," said Jessica Losquadro, who graduated in May after playing with the team the past four seasons. The Bethpage, N.Y. native started 40 of 43 career games with the program. "Seeing how much we raised this year had me in complete shock — the Bonaventure family is like no other. The support from this community helped raise awareness for this foundation and I appreciate everyone for helping with the effort."
Immediately after the Losquadro family suffered their loss, Jessica and her teammates went to work, striving to make a positive impact on others experiencing personal tragedy caused by a disease so many people have no awareness of. St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse has certainly done its part in the fight to raise awareness and ultimately find a cure for CJD as in the last two years, the Bonnies have raised nearly $14,000 through various means. Individual players set up direct donations via a CJD website and also created a fundraising program with the tagline of "Cut the Joe, Give Some Dough," prompting individuals to help the cause by doing something as small as taking money going toward a daily cup of coffee and sending that to Bona's CJD fundraiser.
"To more than double last year's total was nothing short of amazing," Bonnies head coach Jason Levesque said. "To our student-athlete's friends, families and everyone who has supported this cause, on behalf of St. Bonaventure Women's Lacrosse, we extend a heartfelt thank you. Your support, financial and otherwise, continues to impact so many. We are proud to help CJD Foundation in any way possible to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure."
"Families caring for a loved one with CJD must quickly adjust to caregiving needs and are devastated by how rapidly and aggressively the disease progresses," said Debbie Yobs, CJD Foundation President/Executive Director. "They need access to information, referrals, and support, and they seek progress toward a treatment and cure. We have been amazed and inspired by how much the St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team has achieved in their successful fundraising drive for the CJD Foundation. By supporting our cause, they are raising awareness, supporting families, and fueling research to better understand and find a treatment for CJD. We are so grateful for the team's efforts."
Team members also sold co-branded CJD Foundation and Bonaventure women's lacrosse team gear, sporting the purple colors used in CJD Foundation efforts. The Bonnies wore purple during pre-game warmups throughout the year to raise awareness for the cause and honor the memory of Michael Losquadro.
"We were blown away by the generosity from our team's supporters. It was extremely moving to see how many additional donations we got from people all across the country who have been affected by CJD within the lacrosse community," said St. Bonaventure Class of 2021 graduate Savannah Clarke who helped spearhead the fundraiser alongside Losquadro. "I feel honored to have been a part of such a successful fundraiser in memory of a great man and huge Bonnies lax fan. I am excited to see this annual fundraiser progress throughout the years and see the impact that we can have as we try to find a cure for CJD."
CJD Foundation provides family support, medical education and research programs to those impacted by the disease. Those looking to support the foundation further or contact representatives for assistance can visit cjdfoundation.org or call a toll-free helpline at 1-800-659-1991.
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