Honoring John Mack

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By wbng sports

Story Created: Feb 6, 2010 at 6:38 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2010 at 6:38 PM EST

Town of Union, NY (WBNG Binghamton) - Lacrosse teams from across the Northeast and Canada are in the area this weekend playing for an important cause.

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The 4th Annual Southern Tier Shoot Out at the Sports Dome on Airport Road honors the memory of a former Binghamton High School player.

John Mack was killed three years ago during a lacrosse game after taking a stick check to the chest.

It took paramedics 19 minutes to respond and use a defibrillator to restart his heart.

The 17-year-old Binghamton High School junior died three days later.

Players ranging in age from fifth grade all the way up to 62 years old hit the field to raise money.

Proceeds from the tournament are used to purchase defibrillators for area sports organizations.

"We want to make sure we get out the message that you have to make sure there are defibrillators at the games," says John's father, Jim Mack. "There was no defibrillator when Johnny got hurt playing lacrosse and killed. It took 19 minutes to get to the site. It was too late. We never want that to happen again."

Since his death, the John Mack Fund has donated 30 defibrillators to the community.

The event continues Sunday.

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