On a sun-splashed afternoon in mid-June, more than 1,700 high school football players from all parts of the country participated in a one-day, non-contact camp at Lafayette College.

But it wasn't a beefy offensive lineman, speedy running back or quarterback throwing darts to lanky receivers that stole the show.

Instead, it was a 12-year-old girl, who brought the campers and hundreds of volunteer college coaches to a standstill when she stood before them to thank those who gave up their day to be there for her.

She is Lauren Loose, the daughter of Lafayette College defensive coordinator John Loose. Lauren has been battling brain cancer since she was nine months old and is the driving force behind "Lauren's First and Goal Camp," which helps raise awareness and money for pediatric brain tumor research.

One of those at camp this year was Franklin & Marshall's John Troxell, a former coach at Lafayette with Loose.

"It gives you a different outlook on life," said Troxell, who along with his wife Pam, serves on the board of Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, which was started by John and Marianne Loose.

"We felt blessed with the children we had and we saw what John's family was going through," said Troxell. "We just felt this was a way for us to give back and help somebody else."

The camp was born in 2004 when John Loose was working another camp at the University of Michigan.

"As I was at that camp, I started thinking how great it would be to do a camp like that for a day to raise money for charity," John Loose said. "I really thought the camp would become a monster. What has surprised me is the number of coaches who have come forward to volunteer their time."

The first year saw 56 coaches and 300 players show up and raise nearly $20,000. This June, nearly 300 coaches and more than 2,100 players (400 attended a second camp held in Florida) helped raise more than $220,000.

Each camper brings in a minimum $25 donation, with many also bringing additional money in the form of pledges.

Since 2004, the foundation has raised $802,000. Of every dollar raised, 92 cents goes directly to support pediatric brain tumor research, provide pediatric cancer services and financial assistance to families of cancer-stricken children.

At the Lafayette College venue alone this year, the foundation raised $187,000 for its cause.

"As a coach, it's a lot of fun," John Loose said of the camp. "As a father, you feel like you're making a difference. You can't help but be inspired."

While the camp has blossomed into what is considered the largest one-day football camp in the country, the focus remains on Lauren, who has become the star of the show and is now also featured in a children's book titled "Hope Is Here To Stay."

"She had a very rough year last year," John Loose said, referring to the discovery of a tumor in Lauren's spine.

But it wasn't enough for her to miss the camp, which dad says, other than her birthday, is the day she looks forward to most each year.

"She's doing great considering all that is going on," said John Loose. "She's been a huge inspiration to everyone she meets."

Troxell is certainly among them.

"She's a fighter," Troxell said. "She's always smiling and always upbeat. She's never sad about what's going on. She's already touched more people in her short lifetime than any of us will ever touch in our lives."

For more information on the foundation, go to www.laurensfirstandgoal.org.