Jake Rudd and Kathleen O’Connor share a love for the game of lacrosse and now, unfortunately, cancer.

Rudd, 14, of Wayne, N.J., is battling Ewing sarcoma and O’Connor, 22, a member of the Villanova University women’s lacrosse team, is amidst a fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This summer, the duo is teaming up with lacrosse star Tom Schreiber to support the HEADstrong Foundation through the launch of the National Lax-Off Against Cancer (LaxOffAgainstCancer.org).

The National Lax-Off Against Cancer is a digital bracket tournament allowing clubs nationwide to compete off the field for a national title. Beginning in the first weekend of June and running through the third weekend of July, clubs will compete in 72-hour online and social media fundraising challenges. Clubs with the largest incremental fundraising gain will survive and advance until one club is crowned the “national champion of giving.”

This concept is intended to provide clubs with a philanthropic layer, thus allowing them to strengthen their commitment to the development of the complete student-athlete. Student-athletes can fulfill community service requirements as well as collegiate prerequisites.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the National Lax-Off Against Cancer and believe this is a wonderful compliment to the club lacrosse season and the perfect way for clubs to help families affected by cancer,” Schreiber said.

Schreiber has had a long association with HEADstrong. Since playing in the MLL and NLL, he has served as a HEADstrong Player Ambassador, prior to which he participated in several HEADstrong fundraisers as a student-athlete at Princeton. Schreiber lost two grandparents to cancer and has a drive to change the game for those affected by the disease.

All participants will receive a certificate of excellence and the champion will be presented with the prestigious Nicholas E. Colleluori Cup, a team practice led by Schreiber, and a special HEADstrong prize.

Proceeds will support the HEADstrong Foundation, a 501(c)3 committed to improving lives affected by cancer, founded by the late Nicholas Colleluori, the former Hofstra lacrosse player who died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2006. The non-profit organization plays a vital role as a direct resource to families overcome by the hardships of cancer. HEADstrong provides a variety of services which range from financial assistance to funding capital projects and peer mentorship. Most notably, HEADstrong operates Nick’s House, a guest family home providing more than 2,555 nights of complimentary lodging and support to families displaced in the pursuit of life-saving cancer treatment.

“This disease continues to plague so many families, and we are working relentlessly to be a backbone of support and encouragement in the most vulnerable times of their lives,” said Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong president and Nick’s mom.