Calling all student-athletes, your season isn’t over yet!

Three student-athletes are leading the charge and taking one last shift on April 6, 2020 — National Student-Athlete Day — to be the difference for cancer patients who are at the highest risk of complications due to COVID-19 by participating in the Last Shift Virtual 5K Race.

Ally Kennedy of Stony Brook women's lacrosse, Grant Ament of Penn State men's lacrosse and Michael Sowers of Princeton men's lacrosse have come together to lace up one final time. Now, they ask that you join them in their efforts.

“These folks rely on the HEADstrong Foundation’s services. We are all at home, in shape, collectively upset that our season was canceled, willing and able to do something together for the greater good.” Sowers said.

While many schools, parks and tracks are closed due to social distancing restrictions, participants should run through their neighborhoods, on their treadmills or can even jog in place. The key to this campaign is broadcasting your run via social media and uniting with fellow athletes across the country using #LastShift2020.

“This is a way for us as seniors to gain some closure on this season and hand the torch to the next class. We ask everyone to join us on April 6 and help circulate the message,” Ament said.

Nick Colleluori’s playing career being halted due to uncontrollable circumstances is certainly relatable given the current climate. Being a collegiate student-athlete unknowingly prepared my brother for his fight against cancer. At just 19, faced with a terminal diagnosis, Nick confided in his teammates and their compassion and encouragement during that time gave him the assurance and motivation to create the resource that he wished existed for his own family as well as others who would follow in his footsteps.

He found the best version of himself in being part of a team. He considered it the highest honor to learn from and play alongside some of the best in the game. In a letter to his teammates in the last days of his life, Nick wrote, “You are my pulse, and while I may not be there with you, as long as you keep beating, I am still alive.”

“We are seeing so much of Nick in the efforts of these amazing student-athletes who are rising amid the current health crisis and using their voice in the most positive and constructive way possible.” Pat Colleluori, HEADstrong chief development officer and Nick’s brother said.

For Kennedy, getting her senior season cut short is something she never imagined, but she is looking at this as a new opportunity to play for the greater good.

“This campaign means a lot to me, being able to be a part of something that’s much larger than myself in a time of adversity shows that it has always been more than just a sport for so many people,” she said.

There are three easy ways to support the Last Shift Campaign, so the HEADstrong Foundation can strengthen its commitment to those at highest risk as they fight cancer through financial, residential and emotional support.

1. Register for $20 at http://bit.ly/lastshift2020 ​
2. Donate via Venmo @HEAD-STRONG.
3. Donate via www.HEADstrong.org/donate.

Make your last shift count and be a hero for those who need you the most.