LIMLF Supporting Family with Contributions Sought for Riley

[Linked Image] On August 5th, 2013 at the Long Island Greenport Shootout Lacrosse Tournament the Nassau Country P.A.L. Youth lacrosse League and the Long Island Metropolitan Chapter of US Lacrosse (LIMLF) presented a donation from the “Jill Howell” fund to Riley McCandless and her wonderful family to help with her medical expenses as she fights her battle with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Riley is a real inspiration to all of us as she fights this condition every day with her family. A little information on Riley and her family is detailed below.

Riley McCandless is a nine year old lacrosse player that attends William Rall Elementary in Lindenhurst. She has six siblings, and the entire family is a lacrosse family. Both of her brothers play and her sisters and Riley all play as well. Her Father Tom McCandless has Coached lacrosse since 1995 at Lindenhurst and played 4 years at SUNY Cortland. Her mom’s screen name is lax widow for obvious reasons.

Six years ago Riley was diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) which is a condition that results from the abnormal premature destruction of red blood cells. Once this process begins, the damaged red blood cells start to clog the filtering system in the kidneys, which may eventually cause the life-threatening kidney failure associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome develop in children after two to 14 days of diarrhea — often bloody — due to infection with a certain strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Adults also may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome after an E. coli infection, but the cause also may be certain medications, other types of infections, pregnancy or it may be unknown.

Riley had the A typical diagnosis and it led to the destruction of her kidneys. Riley was placed on dialysis and after her congestive heart failure cleared she was put on a list and received a kidney transplant that Halloween. Things were great, for five years, she played soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse, Riley is a competitor and one of the toughest girls out there. This past September her body begun to reject her transplanted kidney and at this point the conventional ways to save it have not worked. “We tried a “chemo” style therapy about a month ago (I forgot the name of it) and as of this point we are waiting to see if we can get a few more years out of the one she received 5 ½ years ago” said her father, Tom McCandless.

She has had tremendous support from her community and she has been an inspiration to her parent’s family and friends. Everyone who knows her sees how tough and determined this kid is, and has not let anything stop her from doing what she wants to do.

Please keep Riley and the McCandless family in your thoughts and prayers. When we all think of toughness and strength……..think of Riley because that is her!

Donations to help Riley and her family can be sent to:
Riley McCandless
c/o Tom McCandless
1012 North Niagara Ave
Lindenhurst, New [lacrosse] 11757