NCLA Supports Graham Harden and GForce Game On
In August of 2016, at the age of 48, former New Canaan native, 1991 NCAA Tarheel champion and Schmeisser Award winner, CT Lacrosse Hall-of-Famer, and longtime Ohio lacrosse Coach Graham Harden was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a devastating diagnosis for which there is currently no cure. As ALS progresses, the average out of pocket expense for patients with the advanced disease is in excess of $300,000 per year.
Shortly after Graham's diagnosis, GForce Game On was launched to raise funds for Graham's medical care, create awareness about the disease and work as an advocate for more research that ultimately leads to a cure (
www.gforcegameon.org). As Graham continued to coach his beloved sport post-diagnosis and help lead two of his teams to State championship wins, he also found time to develop a tool - W8Z weighted end caps - to assist his young athletes in honing their craft (
see https://lacrozze.com for more information).
Regretfully, Graham's health has declined. To facilitate his breathing, a tracheostomy was recently performed and a ventilator connected. With the advent of this significant change in Graham's condition, 24-hour nursing care is now required and the out of pocket medical bills are mounting.
The support from Graham's community and the lacrosse world, both for his medical care as well as for helping to accelerate ALS research for treatments and a cure, is deeply inspiring. Thank you.
