Story courtesy GoRiverHawks.com
BOSTON – For the third straight year, Adam’s Team, made up of more than 130 family members, friends and teammates of former UMass Lowell baseball player Adam Keenan, was well represented at the 2013 Heart Walk Boston on Sept. 7.
The growing turnout was a reflection of the impact and memory of Keenan, who lost his life in early June 2011.
Adam’s Team garnered the Largest Community Team Award at the walk for the third straight year.
More impressive, it generated more than $3,700 for the American Heart Association, 100 percent of which goes to research into Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), the extremely rare condition to which Keenan lost his life.
“It’s just surreal to see everyone out there. It’s important to us that people remember Adam,” said Audrey Keenan. “It’s a wonderful feeling. It brings a lot of emotion to our family. They all do it for Adam.”
In three years, Adam’s Team has raised $14,000 for the American Heart Association, with every penny going to ARVC research. For the third straight year, the walk included every member of the UMass Lowell baseball team.
The last two years, the Keenan’s drive to raise money for ARVC has begun with UMass Lowell’s Monster Bash, a fundraising costume party held each October and spearheaded by Associate Director of Athletics Joan Lehoullier and the University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The event has raised $1,300.
“It’s important to me that our newcomers who didn't know Adam are aware of the legacy he left behind,” said UMass Lowell Head Coach Ken Harring. “He is always in our hearts. And every year we get closer to the prevention of ARVC.”
All 100-plus members donned Adam's Team t-shirts and a post-walk reception was hosted by Eddie Coyle’s Tavern and Restaurant in Dracut, Mass.
“We did green shirts this year and they really stood out,” Audrey added.
Donations to Adam’s Team can be made here.