By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 18:26 EST, 15 December 2025 | Updated: 18:26 EST, 15 December 2025
The Boston Celtics issued a desperate plea to fans on Monday as they revealed a former member of staff had been given a heartbreaking health diagnosis.
Dr. Ed Lacerte, the former head athletic trainer for the Celtics, has been diagnosed with Leukemia, the team announced on social media.
The Celtics organization shared that Lacerte, who spent decades with the franchise, had been recommended to undergo a blood stem cell transplant by doctors.
The team called on fans to sign up to the National Marrow Donor Program's registry to help with Lacerte's treatment.
Lacerte worked as the Head Athletic Trainer & Physical Therapist in Boston from 1987-2017.
He also played a role in the United States' iconic 'Dream Team' serving as the gold medal-winning men's basketball team's athletic trainer at the 1992 Olympics.
More to follow.