Showing Corey Lovrich Lots Of Love

Bryan Lovrich already notices the boost in morale his cancer-stricken younger brother, Corey, has gotten from the Long Beach community.

Bryan spearheaded a fundraiser for him at the Long Beach Middle School when the Marines lacrosse team hosted and defeated Syosset last Wednesday evening, about a month after Corey was diagnosed with colon cancer. Bryan and his family and friends sold T-shirts, 100 of which were bought within 20 minutes, and wristbands, raising more than $5,000 to put toward paying Corey’s medical bills.

“The whole crowd was amazing and it really made Corey feel more confident in his fight, seeing all of the support by the community,” Bryan said. “Even the Syosset coach bought bands for his whole team. They all wished him the best before going on the field. It was really an amazing sight to see.”

While at college at Jacksonville University, Corey, a 20-year-old Long Beach native, checked into a hospital and remained in bed there for a week with stomach problems. On April 7, when doctors discovered the source of his problems, a tennis ball-sized tumor, he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and had emergency surgery. 

Afterward, his parents brought him back to Long Beach, and during the first week of May he underwent chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s outpatient facility in Rockville Centre. Corey is expected to have at least six months of chemo treatments, possibly followed by a course of radiation.

“He's doing well right now,” Bryan said.

A graduate of Long Beach High School's Class of 2009, Corey was a varsity athlete who played lacrosse throughout his high school career, earning All County honors his junior and senior years, the latter of which he served as the team’s co-captain. He also played soccer and basketball.

Corey’s lacrosse team in Jacksonville organized a fundraiser to help him and his family, as well as dedicated a game to him and wore his number 88.

“The support from the community so far has been tremendous and we know we're not alone in this battle,” Bryan said.

For more information about how you can help assist the Corey and the Lovrich family, go to coreysfund.blogspot.com, or email CoreysFund@gmail.com.