FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Lasell Athletics Communications

NEWTON, Mass. – Members of the Lasell men's and women's soccer team posed for an "Olivia Strong" photo in honor of Olivia Tassinari, the 18 month old daughter of Curry College head women's soccer coach Jason Tassinari.

Olivia's journey began with an MRI revealing she had a tumor in her brain on February 18, 2016. She underwent a craniotomy to remove it, and shortly thereafter received a diagnosis of aggressive medulloblastoma. Olivia has begun the first cycle of an intense 6-month course of chemotherapy, and is ready to continue fighting this disease.

Andrea Tassinari, Jason's wife and Olivia's mother, will be running the 2016 Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18 in her daughter's honor. Andrea will be representing the Risa S Rosenguard Foundation which raises funds and provides opportunities for families who have lost loved ones to cancer. "Olivia is my inspiration. I know she will be with me every step I take, and when I cross the finish line," said Andrea.

"Lasell soccer and the entire soccer community is in total support of the Tassinari family," said Lasell women's soccer head coach Vito LaFrancesca. "We are all Olivia Strong, and we want them to know we are in this fight together."

To learn more about Olivia's story and how you can help, like "Team Olivia Strong" on Facebook, and check out http://www.firstgiving.com/35688/boston-marathon-2016.