President of the Nassau County Lacrosse Official
Bob Dethomises

On June 8th-9th and 10th we have probably the most challenging day of the year, Massapequa diabetes tournament. For the Eichenbaums we helped to celebrate the life of a very special young man who was taken away way too early. For them we can help to ease their pain of loss. For the families of the victims of juvenile diabetes we can make a difference. With the money they raise they work to find a cure for this terrible disease. They try and make a kid's life better and to help that child live a full and complete life. We can help make their struggle for a cure a reality by simply showing up and blowing a whistle for a couple of hours.

I do not know what issues affect all of the members of our association. I know that each and every one have some type of calamity or tragedy that we must bear each and every day and in most cases it is, I hope, manageable.

In the case of John Lynott and his family, it is his son Jon that suffers from this terrible disease. I met young Mr Lynott on the lacrosse field, imagine that. While officiating a game in Plainview ,(appropriate, site of the Eichenbaum) we were in a time out, when young Jon came running to the side lines. He removed his jersey and very matter of factly had his father plug in his insulin pump into the little tube that sticks out his young body.

It was so easy and simple that it could have been like he was asking for a piece of gum. Unfortunately it was not just a piece of gum, it was the liquid that keeps him alive. Now I have witnessed some terrifying and life altering situations in my life but I never saw anything like this.

This child took off his jersey and pulled a tube out and had his father hook up a pump. If you don't step back and dry your eyes by my description then I did not explain it well enough. He has a tube sticking out of his body..... a tube sticking out of his body. He has to look forward to this procedure for the rest of his life. Not to mention all of the effects this disease has your vital organs.

I well up each time I think of it and each time I find myself whining about some insignificant situation in my life I realize how easy my life is in comparison.

This young man will spend the rest of his life tied to this machine.. THE REST OF HIS LIFE. You tell me that we can't take a few hours of our summer and give this kid a chance at all of the things that we have and have had,. We can tell our friends we are not going to make the barbecue until after the tournament because we are attempting to give to this young man and his family some chance at normalcy.

When something affects our families, we take a protective approach to everything. We step forward as the protectors and offer our souls for the safety of our family. In this case, I can not imagine the helpless feeling of John and his wife, how each time their son is subjected to shots,tests probes and more pain how he or any one of us want to rap our arms around diabetes and completely kick the crap out of it for hurting this kid.

Unfortunately, life is not that easy. Our only chance is through science and medicine and that takes money. Help us get the money.. Give your time. Please...

Here is your chance.

Please, and I really mean please, come out on the weekend of the 8th-9th and 10th and give your time. Please don't come at 8am work an hour and feel you fulfilled you obligation. Work as many games as you can then work two more after that and then throw in a few more. Help us beat this thing and give this young man a chance at life.

Engin will once again be in charge of coordination. Please e-mail him your availability and give as much as you can.

I made this letter a little long, I know but I need each and everyone of to know how important this really is and the opportunity we all have to help.

Thanks,

Bob D