Prep Champs Fight Cancer

The wrestling team captured its 29th Prep National team title in February while helping pin down cancer on behalf of two former Blair wrestlers, Adam Frey ’05 and Ryan McGrath ’98. The team asked for pledges in the amount of $1 per pin, with the final tally of money raised – an impressive $10,000. This year’s campaign specifically supports the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, with 27 locations across the country providing free housing for cancer patients (who often travel far from home) and their families. A representative from Hope Lodge accepted a check from wrestling coach Paul Clavel at the May 18 School Meeting.

In the past, the wrestling team conducted its annual “pin down” campaign at the preps for other charities as well, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community, and the Community Food Pantry of Blairstown.

Adam was diagnosed with germ cell cancer last March; in between his chemotherapy treatments, he stayed at New York City’s Hope Lodge. Like Adam, Ryan is fighting his own form of cancer – leukemia – as hard as he fought his former opponents on the mat.

Posted 5/19/2009

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