The wrestling community has a strong tradition of lending a hand to fellow wrestlers at difficult times which can occur in life.

One such wrestling leader facing a difficult challenge is Brown University head coach Dave Amato. His daughter Niki Amato Volkmann was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is an aggressive form of the disease which spreads quickly.

She has immediately been placed on intense chemotherapy treatments. 

A fundraiser has been organized to assist in covering medical expenses which are part of her treatment plan.  According to the fundraising website established for her, “Niki can no longer work and needs around the clock care to survive. Your donation will help pay for the care she needs, for the hospital housing she must now live in, and for the expensive cancer treatment drugs she will likely be on for the rest of her life.”

Coach Amato has been head coach for Div. I Brown for 30 years, helping to build the Bears program and develop successful student-athletes at the Ivy League university. Previously, Amato served five years as head wrestling coach at the University of Massachusetts and a year as head coach at SUNY-Potsdam.  He also has experience as a high school coach and a college assistant coach. With almost four decades of service to coaching wrestling, Amato has impacted the lives of literally thousands of wrestlers and their families.

Those who wish to support this fundraiser can do so at the following website link.

http://www.giveforward.com/niki#