Making Strides
American Cancer Society

BEVERLY, Mass. – Despite living 670 miles away from home, Endicott men's lacrosse sophomore Bobby Perez has come to find out that the concept of "family" follows him wherever he goes. In fact, his immediate family of four quickly rose with the support of Gulls men's lacrosse teammates, the coaching staff, the general student body, alumni, and administrators who all donated money towards Making Strides and the American Cancer Society's fight against breast cancer.

Seven years before he even set foot on Endicott's Beverly campus, a fair distance away from his hometown of Rocky River, Ohio, Bobby and the Perez family were faced with a challenge that none of them ever expected to have to take on. His mother, Ellen, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Bobby Perez (right) with his mother, Ellen.

"As a fifth grader, I did not understand in depth the true danger my family had faced," said Bobby, an International Business major at Endicott who excelled for Rocky River High School lacrosse and was named All-State twice. "I understood it was a matter of life or death, but I did not realize how lucky I was until years later. My family did not get through it alone by any means."

While Ellen battled the disease in her body that turned normality upside down, the community of loved ones, friends, and neighbors around the Perez family helped pick up the pieces. The Rocky River community had an active hand in the family's fight – they made meals, drove Bobby and his sister Katie to practice, and did everything they could to help provide during that trying time.

"Even when my mom had to shave her head I shaved mine so she did not feel alone. A few days later, about eight of my closest friends did the same thing. It truly was a team effort."

With the support of the people around her, Ellen would go into remission.

Since his mother was diagnosed, Bobby and his family took it upon themselves to fight the good fight against breast cancer and walk in support of a research for a cure, awareness towards catching the disease early, and developing support channels for those affected. He and his family never missed a breast cancer walk while living at home and moving to the Boston area for college would not stop that.

"We preach 'family' on our team and after years of attending cancer walks in Ohio I figured my family at Endicott would love to be a part of such a special event. My freshman year, just (Sam) Scoba and I walked the Making Strides event in Boston. I didn't think it was my place as a freshman to organize such a large event with the whole team."

This year, however, Bobby set a goal to get his teammates involved to have a visible team showing their support at the walk in downtown Boston. He set up an online fundraising account through www.makingstrideswalk.org, set the donation goal at $1,000, and began reaching out for support. On the day of the five-mile walk, $1,650 was raised by the Endicott men's lacrosse team thanks to nearly 50 individual donors giving what they could.

"Honestly, I did not expect such a rapid response. I just wanted to have a presence at the event because I understand as college students we all have a tight budget, but that did not stop our guys from reaching out to friends and family. As the donations kept piling in and supporters from in-and-around the Endicott community contributed, I was speechless thinking about the endless support."

Head coach Sean Quirk, who has coached and mentored hundreds of young men through his 18-year career at Endicott, has seen how his team's family mentality can make an impact on each other's lives.

"I am always proud of the accomplishments of the men's lacrosse team on-and-off the field," said Quirk. "The commitment to helping people for a greater cause is special to see out of our young men. I know that this cause has hit some of our players more than others, but that is what is so special about our team. They are always there for their teammates."

"I want to thank our captains Harry Cotter and Chris Cooney for making such a strong push for this event," said Bobby. "I want to wish luck to people who have family members that are currently in the fight. Your family is in the thoughts and prayers of many."

As it stands today, Bobby Perez and the Endicott men's lacrosse team raised $1,775 for the American Cancer Society and the fight against breast cancer. The Making Strides event in Boston overall was a major success with 891 teams and 8,480 participants raising just under $1.3 million. 

Bobby Perez and teammate Sam Scoba at the 2013 Making Strides Walk in Boston	Finish line at the conclusion of the five-mile track	Bobby Perez and teammate Fabian Brunner at this year's walk