New York tri-state area's lacrosse athletes attended the eighth annual Jay Gallagher Lacrosse Tournament that took place at Saint Paul's Athletic Field in Garden City this past summer to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Seventy-six teams played in the two-day tournament and over 70 middle and high school students donated their time for community service, helping to raise $40,000 in the fight against cancer. All proceeds from the tournament went to support The Miracle (Making In Roads Against Cancers Lasting Effects) Foundation and The Andy Foundation on Long Island.

The tournament, which was hosted by the Garden City Rams, is named for Jay Gallagher, a Garden City graduate and college lacrosse player who became a victim of cancer at a very early age. Spectators were encouraged to come and see lacrosse teams from the tri-state area battle it out on the field.

"It was a great tournament and an exciting event," explained Joe Castronovo, president of The Miracle Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to making a difference in the lives of those touched by cancer. "We want to thank everyone who supports the Jay Gallagher Lacrosse Tournament as well as those that coordinate this event. To see the wonderful support and so many of the tri-state area's young athletes come together to play in this tournament while at the same time helping others by raising funds for those touched by this dreaded disease is an incredible experience and deserves to be commended," he added.

This year's tournament memorialized Ryan Kohart and Dave Leistman who were lost in the September 11 tragedy.

The Miracle Foundation would like to thank Tony Randi, the Garden City Rams and the many volunteers for their support and commitment to fighting cancer and making a difference in the lives of those touched by this disease.

The Miracle Foundation (Making In Roads Against Cancer's Lasting Effects) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded by Michael and Patti Tenaglia, after Michael was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 1998. Included on the list of The Miracle Foundation's many accomplishments is spearheading the creation of The Michael J. Tenaglia M.I.R.A.C.L.E. Foundation Pavilion at Mercy Medical Center - a 22,000 square foot, state-of-the-art cancer treatment center capable of treating 30,000 outpatient visits a year. This facility will be operated by the prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The Foundation is also financing breakthrough research by some of the nation's leading cancer researchers, including Dr. Bert Vogelstein, director of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Johns Hopkins University Oncology Center in Baltimore and Dr. Michael Wigler, the founder of the P-Ten gene from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. In addition, the Foundation has provided the tuition for sponsored grants for Camp Adventure, a summer camp for children with cancer and their families, and the Morgan Center, a Long Island nonprofit organization that gives 3- and 4-year-olds undergoing chemotherapy the opportunity to learn and socialize in a safe environment. For more information please call The Miracle Foundation at 873-0105 or visit www.miraclefoundation.com.

Jay Gallagher graduated from Garden City High School in 1970 where he co-captained the varsity lacrosse team. Jay was a four-year defenseman at Cornell and tri-captained the Big Red his senior year, helping them to the NCAA semifinals. After graduation, he acted as an assistant coach for North Carolina, Syracuse, Rutgers and Cornell from 1981-1985. His legacy is still present with the John W. "Jay" Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund, which goes to an economically disadvantaged Cornell underclassman.

Jay had a memorable association with Garden City, Cornell and the lacrosse world, and it was with much sadness that members of these groups heard of his death on January 9, 1992, at age 39 from melanoma.