The John Carroll University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host a charitable fundraising event bearing the name "Streaks to the Max" on April 8-9, 2016 for the benefit of the MaxCure Foundation.

"Our SAAC group has been talking for a few years about some form of community service, but words did not always translate to action," said Christopher M. Wenzler, Assistant Athletic Director at John Carroll and a SAAC co-advisor. "The obvious answer was to pair natural ability with a worthy cause. The obvious hurdles were getting all sports engaged with an ever moving, ever changing calendar. Thankfully, through a perfect storm of connections, 'Streaks to the Max' has given purpose to what previously had been just an idea."

First, the timing issue was solved. In a relatively new initiative, the NCAA sponsors "D3 Week" to celebrate the values of the Division III athletic experience. This gave the JCU Student Athlete Advisory Committee a target date: The first full week of April.

Next came the cause. Jonathan Agin, a former Blue Streak student-athlete (men's soccer, class of 1994), and Wenzler, also a former Blue Streak student-athlete (class of 1990) and current assistant athletic director at JCU, renewed acquaintances over the years and periodically struck up conversations as to how John Carroll athletics could be involved in a centralized service activity.

Agin, the Executive Director of the Max Cure Foundation and one of the founders of the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute, is one of the most recognized names in the childhood cancer community. He became involved in the childhood cancer community following the diagnosis of his daughter Alexis with DIPG (an inoperable brain tumor) in April 2008. Alexis battled heroically for thirty-three months until January 14, 2011. Along the way, Agin began to write and speak on issues impacting the childhood cancer community. Jonathan soon became well recognized as a childhood cancer advocate and voice for the community.

As a result of this on-going discussion, the MaxCure Foundation became the fundraising partner.

Finally, the event took shape.

"Weighing many options, the idea of a 24-hour happening made the most sense to accommodate all the teams and their respective schedules," said Wenzler. "Holding the event indoors -- given the haphazard nature of the weather in early April in Northeast Ohio -- also seemed a smart move to make."

Utilizing the school's swimming pool to ease the tension on athletic facility scheduling was the last master stroke. A 24-hour swim relay was born. The concept will involve each team taking a block of time and keep a continuous swim relay going over the period of 24 hours. Laps will be counted strictly for fun.

Streaks (the shortened version of the school's mascot, Blue Streaks) to the Max (in honor of Mr. Agin's MaxCure Foundation) is the culmination of several years of hatching ideas finally coming to fruition. It will take place in and around the William H. Johnson Natatorium on the John Carroll campus in University Heights, Ohio, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 8, and concluding at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9. All 23 intercollegiate varsity sports, plus several friends of the programs, will take part in keeping the relay going for one complete day.

All proceeds will go directly to the MaxCure Foundation and its Roars Beyond Barriers program. The three-fold mission of The Max Cure Foundation includes funding research for pediatric cancer treatment development, including efforts to discover less toxic treatments for children with cancer, financially assisting low-income and military families with children battling cancer; and through vigorous advocacy efforts, to pursue legislative and regulatory changes seeking to benefit children with cancer and at the same time, raise awareness to the needs of those fighting pediatric cancers.

To donate to Streaks to the Max, click here. Each varsity team plus support staffs will create their own page, and donations can be made directly on behalf of a team. Incentives are being established for top fundraising team in terms of dollars and average per team member, as well as top individual fundraiser.

As a Jesuit Catholic university, John Carroll inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and in the world. The University finds the source of its inspiration in the experience of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the centuries-long commitment of the Society of Jesus to academic excellence and service to the common good.

"Streaks to the Max upholds the University mission, and hopefully will serve to further establish the John Carroll University student-athlete as champions of learning, leadership and service," said Wenzler.