Quinnipiac University indoor soccer tournament raises $2,920 for Dover Plains boys fighting rare disease
Hamden, Conn. – March 6, 2017 – Quinnipiac University’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity hosted a benefit soccer tournament, “Battling with Brandon,” on Feb. 28 at Burt Kahn Court on the Mount Carmel Campus.
The tournament raised $2,920 to benefit the Rojas family of Dover Plains, New York. Brandon Rojas, 9, has been diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare genetic brain disorder that causes rapid deterioration of the brain functions which can lead to loss of hearing and muscle control, seizures and dementia, and blindness.
Jean-Paul Chiappini, who is enrolled in the 3+1 Business BS/MBA program at Quinnipiac, served as Brandon Rojas’ youth soccer coach when Chiappini was a senior in high school in Dover Plains. He organized the tournament.
“Brandon was very healthy at age 6 when I coached him,” Chiappini said. “I saw him score his first goal and get trophies. He was always so energetic and having fun. Today, he is in very rough shape. Seeing the family go through such a terrible experience made me want to do something to help. It makes you realize what is really important in life and it also makes you realize that things can change in an instant.”
ALD mostly affects males, with the most devastating form appearing in childhood between ages 4-10. Brandon was diagnosed with childhood cerebral ALD in August 2014 and the prognosis is grim. The disease inhibits his ability to walk, speak and function independently.
Following Brandon’s diagnosis, his younger brother, Brian, was diagnosed with ALD before suffering damage to his brain. The younger Rojas was able to receive gene therapy treatment and the results have been positive.
“My family and I are so grateful to (Chiappini) for organizing this fundraiser event for my sons and to Quinnipiac University for supporting it,” said Paul Rojas, the boys’ father. “Adrenoleukodystrophy is a parent’s worst nightmare and a silent monster that lives inside healthy boys until the neurological symptoms physically appear. All their abilities are stripped away shortly thereafter. This event means so much us because it contributes to our mission to spread ALD awareness and education to the world. ”
About Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 6,784 full-time undergraduate and 2,884 graduate and part-time students in 100 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications,Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences. Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s “Best Colleges” issue. Quinnipiac also is recognized in Princeton Review’s “The Best 381 Colleges.” The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Quinnipiac among the “Great Colleges to Work For.” For more information, please visitwww.qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quinnipiacunews and follow Quinnipiac on Twitter @QuinnipiacU.
