COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland men's lacrosse program teamed up with Team IMPACT to welcome 5-year-old Fionn Crimmins as a member of the team throughout the season. Fionn received his first taste of the action at last Saturday's fall scrimmage against Bucknell.
Joined by his parents, Casey and Conor, and 2-year-old sibling, Deaglan, Fionn was outfitted in Maryland lacrosse gear and got to spend the day with the team. Fionn was also welcomed on the sideline during the scrimmage and led the handshake line after the game.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fionn as the newest addition to the Maryland men's lacrosse program,” said head coach John Tillman. “His courageous fight with cancer is incredibly inspiring and we hope that we can bring as much joy and happiness to him as he has already brought to us.”
Fionn lives in Kensington, Md., and was diagnosed in June of 2014 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – the most common type of blood cancer among children. Fionn is now in the maintenance phase of treatment which means he gets a lower dose of chemo less frequently than the more aggressive first stage of treatment. Fionn will continue to get treatment through October of 2017. He has great energy and his hair has been growing back.
Team IMPACT's mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. The organization does this by matching these courageous kids with local college athletic teams. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto the team and become an official member of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. The child joins the athletic team and the student athletes join the child's support team.
Click here to learn more about Team IMPACT.
