Blake Cognata Memorial Cross out Cancer Games

Friends and family are keeping the memory alive of a Fairport teen who lost his life to cancer in January.

On Tuesday night, CURE Childhood Cancer will hold its First Annual Blake Cognata Memorial Lacrosse Game at St. John Fisher College.

It's been nearly four months since Blake lost his battle with a rare cancer. The Fairport High School athlete died just two days before his 18th birthday. But his memory lives on.

The video can be viewed at http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=387522.

On Tuesday night, Blake's love for lacrosse will help other kids battling cancer.

"Everything says "Find your Strong" because that's really the mantra that Blake adopted and he lived by that. He fought a strong battle and he was a strong young man. He really touched not only the Fairport community but the entire lacrosse community," said Brian Wirth, CURE Childhood Cancer Association Executive Director.

The Blake Cognata Memorial Cross Out Cancer Games will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer. The organization supports more than 800 local families every year.

"We provide emergency financial assistance, we have a parent advocate that works with the parents and the kids at the hospital, we also provide parking passes, something as simple as parking everyday at the hospital when your child is diagnosed or when you are going through outpatient treatment," said Wirth.

The Pittsford Varsity lacrosse teams will play against Victor. Both the girls and boys varsity teams will play.

They hope to raise more than $15,000.

CURE hopes to make this an annual event. Next year, organizers plan to have the Fairport Lacrosse Team participate.

Tickets are $5. The Pittsford Girls Varsity vs. Victor Girls Varsity play at 6 p.m. followed by the Pittsford Boys Varsity vs. Victor Boys Varsity game at 8 p.m.