58 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • OCTOBER 3, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com health St. John’s ‘Dribbles for the Cure’ BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] About two years ago St. John’s University men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin announced he had prostate cancer and would need surgery. Lavin missed most of the following season and had a successful surgery and recovery, but for members of the university and especially the men’s basketball team, talking about cancer still hits home. “Coach always talks about the struggle and the importance of giving back to the community and you can tell it’s coming from a good place,” said sophomore forward JaKarr Sampson. With the most anticipated season in the Lavin era before them, the men’s basketball team joined their female counterparts to co-host the third annual St. John’s Dribble For The Cure on Saturday, September 28, in which more than 500 people participated and more than $55,000 was raised for pediatric cancer. “It’s defi nitely special to beat an opponent like Villanova or a Notre Dame, but it’s even more rewarding to see our players participate in an event like Dribble For The Cure,” Lavin said. “We want to compete in every game, but helping fi nd a cure for cancer is a more worthy cause than winning a basketball game.” At the event participants dribbled basketballs in teams around the campus. Teams and individuals also raised money prior to the event and donated it to the cause. The participants that raised the most money received autographed shirts and basketballs from St. John’s players and coaches. Before the dribble tour there was a festival of free food, giveaways, games and performances from the St. John’s cheerleaders and the pep band. Then in the opening ceremony New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson made a guest appearance. “It’s an honor to be here,” said Woodson. “I had a sister who died of cancer many years ago, so I’m a big supporter of fi ghting cancer and fi nding a cure.” Participants came from Queens and much farther to support the annual event. Larry Kovacs, a St. John’s alum, and his family traveled from Pennsylvania for the second straight time to dribble around the campus. Last year his daughter Jenna, 5, was so young she couldn’t dribble the basketball and he had to carry her across the fi nish line. But this year Jenna dribbled the entire way by herself. “We’re blessed with three healthy children and it’s just a way for us to give back and help others that are less fortuate,” Kovacs said. “It’s a very positive experience for us, it teaches good qualities and characteristics for our children.” THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre St. John’s men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin (center) beat cancer and led the annual Dribble For the Cure event to raise funds and awareness for the disease. When It Comes to Cancer Screening, It’s Time to Start Using Your Head (and Neck) Head and neck cancers affect the tongue, mouth, lips, throat, voice box, nose, salivary glands and thyroid. This year, more than 53,000 people will develop new cases of head and neck cancers. Are you at risk? You might discover early indications of head and neck cancer, such as sores, pain, lumps or red/dark patches in your mouth, but the best way to determine your risk is to be screened by a doctor. Come to the screening at the Hearing and Speech Center at Long Island Jewish Medical Center on October 10. It’s free and the actual screening takes just 10 minutes. Plus, it can save your life. Now that’s using your head. Free Screening for Head and Neck Cancers Date: Thursday, October 10 Time: 5:30 – 5:45pm information session 5:45 – 8:30pm screenings Location: Hearing and Speech Center Long Island Jewish Medical Center 430 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park Call: 1-855-858-8550 Call to schedule an appointment. Space is limited. 17177b Cancer Head & Neck Screening Ad - Queens Courier Size: 8.785” x 5.6875”
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