Newtown's 'A Love For Life' Travels To Hawk Hill For Cancer Fundraiser

NEWTOWN, PA — A group of 40 friends and volunteers with the Newtown-based nonprofit, "A Love for Life," headed to Hawk Hill at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia on Jan. 17 for a cancer awareness charity game.

“I’ve been back to campus a few times, but it’s been decades since I attended a basketball game at my alma mater,” said Christine Sweeney Edmonds, SJU class of 1982 and President of A Love for Life, a nonprofit she founded to support pancreatic cancer research. “The invitation to have our organization represented at the game, and to set up a table and share our mission with all the students, alumni and coaches, was really exciting and emotional."

She added, "There were so many friends I had not seen in such a long time - there was even a quick hello with Don DiJulia, who was athletic director when I was an underclassman - he is now Special Assistant to the President of the University!”

Among those who attended the event was Ally Hagan Gumbs, a friend and Washington Crossing neighbor. She made the trip with her husband, Doug, and their daughters Catie and Chloe, who have hosted A Love For Life lemonade stands, fashion shows and garage sales in Avalon, New Jersey, for many of the last 12 summers.

Supports of A Love For Life with the St. Joseph's Hawk. (Bill Cramer)

A Love for Life is recognized on the Jumbotron inside Hagan Arena. Christine Edmonds of Newtown formed the nonprofit shortly after her husband Kevin died from the disease in 2012. Kevin’s older sister Nora also from the disease in 2009. (Photo by Bill Cramer)

Christine Edmonds with Saint Joseph University President Cheryl McConnell. (A Love for Life photo)

“We were happy to support one of our favorite local non-profits …. We love that they donate 100 percent of the money they raise to research," said Gumbs.

Added Kathi Boczar, SJU class of 1985,“It’s always fun - and more meaningful - when you can combine a charity event with a fun sporting event." Boczar helped coordinate a post-game photo with the Hawk mascot.

The game was played in Hagan Arena, named after Michael J. Hagan, a 1985 graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, also a Newtown resident.

“An unexpected bonus was having a cheesesteak hoagie with our Edmonds family at Larry’s Steaks on 54th Street right after the game,” said Edmonds. “My college friends Tricia Bell and Mary Anne Nolan and I would get them every week at midnight during finals - they taste exactly the same after 40 years.”

More information about A Love For Life can be found by clicking here.

At the "A Love for Life" table at the game are, from left, Adrienne Edmonds, Ally Hagan Gumbs, Christine Edmonds and Kathi Boczar. (A Love For Life)