St. Ephrem’s and Frankie’s Mission to host fourth annual Swish for Kids

Swish!

The Parish of St. Ephrem has been giving back to young basketball fanatics who have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer with its annual Swish for Kids Basketball Clinic, during which rising hoops stars from Saint Francis College and Mount St. Vincent men’s college basketball teams teach participating kids a few tips on how to play the game.

On Sunday, January 25, at 10 a.m. the parish will hold the event for the fourth consecutive year, with funds raised going to the Francesco Loccisano Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Frankie, a St. Ephrem alum and former Xaverian High School student, died from osteosarcoma and treatment-related leukemia in 2007 at the age of 17. His mother Camille started Frankie’s Mission to help families cope with similar illnesses, both financially and emotionally.

“This is what my son Frankie wanted. He would tell me to put smiles on faces of children,” said Camille during last year’s successful event. “So this is a day where we’re really making them smile. It gives them an opportunity to forget about the chemotherapy, forget about treatment. It’s a special, touching day.”

In addition to the basketball drills and games, there will also be a pizza party for the children and a 50/50 and LED TV raffle, with proceeds going to Frankie’s Mission.

Unlike last year, this year’s clinic will take place at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Academy’s gymnasium, 95-11 and Fourth Avenue , due to renovations currently taking place at the St. Ephrem’s gym.

If you know a child who is battling cancer and would like to attend, contact Frank Stella of St. Ephrem Basketball at [email protected] or 718-757-6000.

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