“Being There” is an annual fundraising event that was first started by the friends of Lauren Letros in 2012 to show her their love and to prove to her that her courageous battle with brain cancer had a purpose.

This year the event is organized by Canada Basketball and Villanova College with proceeds being donated to Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and for the further development of youth basketball in Canada.

Basketball was an enormous part of Lauren's life and in the end, the element of her life that kept her feeling somewhat normal when things became thier worst. Just Being There allowed her an escape. Many youth like Lauren use basketball as a means to escape, others find inclusion, a means to stay out of trouble, stay in school and so much more. She, her fight, dedication and love of the game have and we hope will continue to inspire many in Being There for those that need it and providing Canadian youth opportunity to enjoy the game as much as Lauren did.