Sept. 2, 2009

The UMass Lowell men's basketball, baseball, hockey and softball teams will participate in the Saints Medical Center's Fourth Annual Fall Festival for Life Cancer Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12.

"It means so much to me and everyone at Saints to have UMass Lowell Athletics involved in the event," said Saints Medical Center Foundation President Mike Kuenzler. "The relationship between the entire University and Saints is a special one and I am hopeful that we will have a big showing at the walk."

This is the second year the men's basketball team has been involved with the charity event, both walking the one-mile course and volunteering at the children and family fair.

"This event was my first opportunity to help in the community last year and it was a great success" UMass Lowell men's basketball head coach Greg Herenda said. "Saints is a special place for our program to give back. The people at the Cancer Center are truly extraordinary and for us to help them is an honor."

Last year's event saw over 2000 participants walk and raised more than $130,000 for the Cancer Center Spindle Fund, which supports patients in need during life's endeavors.

"It is a privilege for our program to play a role in the community," said UMass Lowell hockey head coach Blaise MacDonald. "We take that responsibility seriously and are always looking for ways to support outstanding causes."

The student-athletes will walk on the one-mile course and help with the games, face painting, barbeque and post-walk events.

"The River Hawk softball team is extremely excited to take part in a terrific event for a cause that touches us all," first-year softball head coach Sean Cotter said. "We look forward to making this an annual event."

The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 and lasts until 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. The fair and walk take place around Saints Medical Center, which is located at Two Hospital Drive in Lowell.

"Cancer is a word that nobody likes, but I don't think there's a guy on our team that hasn't been affected by that word," said River Hawks' head baseball coach Ken Harring. "It is near and dear to everybody's heart and we are going to make every effort to help out."

For more information on the event, supporters can visit Saints Medical Center's website, e-mail foundation@saintsmedicalcenter.com or call (978) 322-2488.