When former Maryland women’s lacrosse star midfielder Taylor Cummings suited up for games during her award-laden career, she and several teammates would write “ZML” on their calves. It reminded them of what, as well as whom, they were playing for.
The initials were a tribute to Zachary Lederer, a former Maryland men’s basketball student manager who lost his second battle with brain cancer in March 2014. Lederer’s story went viral via a photograph of him striking a strongman pose after surgery in 2012. The picture helped to coin the term “Zaching,” and led to the creation of the Zaching Against Cancer Foundation.
With her connection to Lederer, Cummings, who graduated last spring, has taken her support of Zaching Against Cancer to a new level, becoming an official ambassador to the organization.
“Once I graduated, I wanted to be more involved,” Cummings said. “I just want to be as big a part as I can and go to as many things that they hold as possible.”
Cummings was introduced to Lederer’s story by her close friend Molly Fleming, a former Terps defender. Fleming was a childhood friend of Lederer’s, and her mother, Felicia, is the director of marketing/events for the foundation. Felicia Fleming knew Cummings was looking for an expanded role.
At first, they struggled to find a title to encompass what Cummings’ involvement would be, but then settled on ambassador. Along with attending events, she plans on using several platforms to pass on Zaching Against Cancer’s message.
Since graduating from Maryland, Cummings signed as an Under Armour athlete and founded her own company, Taylor Cummings Lacrosse. She wants to use those outlets to promote the foundation.
“Really, I just want to be involved in whatever I can be,” Cummings said. “Getting the word out, spreading the word as far as it can go, being present at as many events as possible, that’s sort of my role right now.”
Cummings and Zaching Against Cancer also have the connection to Maryland and the women’s lacrosse program. Players still write “ZML” on their legs before games and attend events, such as a recent gala and other runs and walks. Cummings said the team has been supportive of the foundation “from the get-go.”
Coach Cathy Reese knows her players’ connection to the cause, so she acknowledged it was natural to watch Cummings’ involvement increase to “carry on that energy and tradition.”
Senior defender Nadine Hadnagy has been involved, too, and attends several events for the foundation. She said the team’s continued tradition of writing Lederer’s initials on their calves is a reminder of their positive fortunes. She, like Reese, said she was not surprised by Cummings’ new role with Zaching Against Cancer.
“Taylor’s all about everyone else, never about herself,” Hadnagy said. “She’s there to help others, and her getting involved in this just shows how much she really supports everyone around her and is there for Zach and wants to see everyone there for him as well.”
Despite not knowing Lederer, Cummings has made it a personal mission to continue to help in his memory.
“To see how his parents and the whole community took a tragic event and turned it into something so beautiful and so amazing for people other than themselves, it was such an easy choice to step on board and do what I can to help,” Cummings said. “That’s my ultimate goal, just to work with them and continue to raise awareness and grow an awesome organization.”
