W. Babylon Softball Star Helping Give Back to Cancer-Stricken Teen

A West Babylon softball pro is coming home to help out a Lindenhurst softball player battling a rare form of bone cancer.

West Babylon's Olivia Galati, a professional softball pitcher currently with New York/New Jersey Comets in the National Pro Fastpitch league and Hofstra University graduate, will be taking part in a charity game this Saturday at 7 p.m.

The game, held between Olivia's Hofstra Alumni and the Carissa All-Stars, will help benefit Lindenhurst teenager Carissa Crossan, a softball player herself who is currently battling Ewing's sarcoma bone cancer. It is a rare form of cancer found commonly in the bone or soft tissue in areas such as the pelvis, femur, humerus, ribs and collar-bone.

Almost all patients, including Crossan, are required to take multi-drug chemotherapy as well as surgery and/or radiation. The treatment varies in length depending on location and stage of the disease.

The event will include raffles and auctions of autographed softball memorabilia, softball equipment, lessons and much more.

Admission to the event, which will take place at Hofstra Softball Stadium, will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years old and under.

According to the Stay Strong Carissa website, Long Island Cares will also be on hand to collect non-perishable food items at the game for their food bank, because Crossan and her family "want to pay it forward and help others."

For more information and updates, check out the Stay Strong Carissa website.