Oct. 20, 2009

By Alyssa Guttendorf, Penn State Athletic Communications Student Assistant

According to Charlene Morett, when it comes to the Race for Hope for Deb Andress, it all comes down to "the Penn State connection."

"It's that `Penn State family' aspect," she said. "There are so many wonderful charities out there that you want to get involved in, but when it hits so close to home, it makes it that much more important."

Morett, who's in her 23rd season as head coach of the Penn State field hockey team, played alongside Deb Andress for two years at Penn State.

"She is one of my very best friends," Morett said. "I never remember having a bad day in college and I think a lot of that is because of my friends. She has a great personality, great energy and a positive outlook--we connected right away."

Andress, a standout former Penn State athlete, is the inspiration behind the Race for Hope for Deb Andress, the 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the Brain Tumor Society, which will conduct its fourth running in November. Andress played both field hockey and lacrosse for the Nittany Lions and was a member of teams that won two AIAW National Championships during her Penn State career. In addition to her work as an instructor of Kinesiology at Penn State Abington, she was also named the first women's lacrosse coach at Penn State Abington January of 2008. Andress is a former member of the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Team from 1980-1984 and she was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 for her outstanding talent and contributions.

Andress, whose husband, John, is a former Nittany Lion quarterback. She is also the mother of a pair of Penn State student-athletes in son, John, who is a senior defender on the men's lacrosse team and daughter, Lea, who is a redshirt freshman attacker for the women's lacrosse squad. Both are continuing her tradition of athletic excellence at Penn State and their presence really brings the Race for Hope home for their teams.

"Having Lea on the team is a constant reminder that one of our own is in the biggest fight of her life," said Tara Hohenshelt, Penn State women's lacrosse assistant coach. "Prior to Deb's diagnosis, I had never heard of the Race for Hope. And now, thanks to Deb, Lea, the Andress family, and the Penn State women's lacrosse program alums, we are all aware of the great things this organization has accomplished. Through this diagnosis we have learned of the many ways the Race for Hope has and will touch the lives of thousands."

The Race for Hope began in 2006 when Pam, Scott and Bernie Kelberg, connected with the Brain Tumor Society and launched the annual Race for Hope in Philadelphia, in memory of Eileen S. Kelberg, their beloved mother and wife who lost her battle with a brain tumor in 1996

The Race for Hope 5K Run/Walk is one of Philadelphia's most successful volunteer and community-based events, and it's one of the country's largest fundraisers for the brain tumor community. The funds generated go toward innovative research and support services for brain tumor patients and their families. As of October 20, Team Andress has raised $10,210 with $30,000 as the ultimate goal. This year the Race for Hope is set to kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Sun., Nov. 1 in Philadelphia, Pa. For more information on how to sign up or make a donation, visit the "Team Andress" page on the Brain Tumor Society's Race for Hope website.

Team Andress at last year's Race for Hope

Andress' commitment to the Race for Hope, and her continued support of Penn State Athletics and the Penn State family make her a lasting and positive presence in the Penn State Community.

"Deb has been such a great supporter for our program," said BJ Lucey Penn State women's lacrosse assistant coach. "Every Penn State lacrosse player is part of the PSU lacrosse family and it is natural to support one of your own."

The Race for Hope is a symbol of Andress' strength. Throughout her battle, Andress remains as strong as ever and is still an inspiration to those around her.

"Deb might just be one of the strongest people I know," said Hohenshelt. "Throughout all of the treatments, doctors appointments, and everything, Deb has maintained her usual upbeat, enthusiastic personality. She's the type of person who lives and breathes the motto: `I have cancer, it doesn't have me.'"