CHRIS LESANKO GOLF CLASSIC

Chris was an inspiring athlete and focused much of his attention on the sport of lacrosse. In high school, he won six Provincial Titles and received six Provincial all-star awards and the MVP Award in the Province of Saskatchewan as well.  In 2001, he received a scholarship to Green Mountain College in Vermont to play NCAA Division II Lacrosse and would receive the Rookie of the Year Award.  In 2002, Chris was the Captain of Team Saskatchewan and lead the Nation in points at the Junior Nationals; he also won Saskatchewan’s first ever Junior Men's National Title. In that same year, Chris also played with the Saskatchewan Senior Team and received another National Title. In 2003, Chris was recruited to Bishops University in Quebec.  During the season, Chris was second in the Nation in points and received the Rookie of the Year Award. In 2004, Chris received the MVP Award and also the Male Athlete of the Year Award for Bishops University Athletics. Chris was named 1st Team All Canadian at Bishops in 2003 and 2004.

In March 25, 2005, just before Chris was finishing up his second year at Bishops University, a fluke accident happened leaving Chris paralyzed from the neck down with no movement or feeling. Chris spent several days with life threatening health complications in a Quebec hospital, away from family and friends before being transported to Saskatchewan where he would spend one month at the General Hospital before spending another six months at The Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.

It did not take Chris long to realize that good treatment for people in his situation were very minimal and he felt there was little hope. After Chris was discharged from Wascana, he found a place in Carlsbad, California called Project Walk. Project Walk was the leading Spinal Cord Injury Facility in the World that focused on intense exercise to regain function and to improve quality-of-life.

Chris would make three trips down to Project Walk within a span of six years and the functional improvement that Chris received was like no other and to him it was priceless. Chris regained the mobility to move both his arms and get himself around in a manual wheelchair. Chris also regained a large portion of feeling all the way down to his toes.

Chris was so impressed with Project Walk but he understood the reality - it was far too expensive to keep traveling down south for treatment. So he worked to set up Canada's first ever Project Walk Provider Facility called First Steps Wellness Centre with the help of his good friend Owen Carlson.

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WHY CLGC?  The Chris Lesanko Golf Classic is set up to alleviate some of the costs that this injury can bring to Chris and his family. The money raised at the CLGC allowed Chris to attend Project Walk three times. Now it allows him to attend First Steps for six hours a week which accumulates to $7000 a year and help offset other financial costs living in a wheelchair!

The exercise treatment that Chris has received and continues to receive has impacted his life, and the lives of the people around him, tremendously! It has increased his function, health and overall quality of life. It has allowed him to complete his Environmental Studies Degree and also to maintain employment with the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association. Chris is also the Commissioner of the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League.

Chris is very thankful for everybody that continues to support him through the CLGC - for all of the dedicated sponsors and golfers and to the organizing committee that help out each and every year.