The Colonial Girls 14 U Red "HEART" Team held its first Skate-a-Thon to benefit Lisa’s Heart Kids’ Cancer Research Fund, raising an incredible $6,000!
The team was inspired by the story of 19 year old Lisa Malchow, a former figure skater turned hockey player. Lisa skated with the Crystal Blades at Mennen Arena, but when she got to high school, she decided to take her skating talents in a different direction.
Following the gold medal performance of the 1998 USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Team in Nagano girls were inspired to play hockey. Pingry had formed a girl's ice hockey team and the lure proved irresistible for Lisa! Although she was new to ice hockey, her skating skills allowed her to transition readily to her newly adopted sport. She loved being part of the school's team!
In the July 2001, she noticed a lump on the back of her hand. A week later, another lump appeared in the palm of her same hand. The diagnosis that September was devastating- Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and deadly pediatric cancer. Although her prognosis was grim, Lisa agreed to endure grueling clinical trials, knowing that those trials would not cure her but would benefit children in the future.
After a valiant 3 1/2 year battle, Lisa passed away in February 2005 of her senior year, just before the Pingry girls headed to play offs. She was buried on Valentine’s Day --hence the charity's name, "Lisa’s Heart."
Lisa’s courage and dedication, both on and off the ice, inspired our girls to make a difference in the lives of other children suffering from cancer. Learning that pediatric cancers are the #1 cause of death from disease in children, our Colonial girls doggedly rounded up pledges and donations from family, friends and fellow Colonials. They completed 456 sprints, raising an astounding $6000! Their efforts were rewarded by a matching gift from an anonymous Colonial parent. The final amount raised was a whopping $12,000!
The New Jersey Colonials wish to congratulate the girls on their outstanding efforts, on behalf of “Lisa’s Heart.” This is an accomplishment they can truly be proud of. The girls, in turn, wish to thank all who generously helped support this endeavor!
A gift from the HEART is one of the greatest gifts of all! To read more about "Lisa's Heart," please click below:Lisa's Heart
