Patrick's PALS was established in 1997 and exists to serve two masters. First, Patrick's PALS aims to raise awareness of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited cause of Autism and intellectual disabilities worldwide, and in honor of Patrick Vershbow. Patrick was diagnosed with Fragile X at 11 months old.(Patrick is now 32 years of age.) Second, PALS works to raise money on behalf of FRAXA Research Foundation. FRAXA was established in 1994 by three parents of children who had recently been diagnosed with Fragile X.
FRAXA's goal is to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Fragile X syndrome. They directly fund research grants and fellowships at top universities around the world, and partner with biomedical and pharmaceutical companies, large and small, to bridge the gap between research discoveries and actual treatments.
Treatments for Fragile X are likely to help people affected by autism, Alzheimer’s, and other brain disorders.
Patrick's PALS 3x3 Basketball Tournament
On the first Saturday after Memorial Day, beginning with the maiden voyage on Saturday May 31, 1997, Patrick's PALS 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament takes place! 32 (or more) teams, a double elimination format, young and old, male and female, family and friends, returnees and newcomers, all join together to make this event what it is - a fun and memorable and important day. Raising awareness of Fragile X and money to fund research on the path to a cure, Patrick's PALS is proud to do its part on behalf of FRAXA Research Foundation.
The day packs in a lot. Opening ceremonies update those in attendance on the progress of research and introduce special guests honored for their support of PALS in some way. Once the games begin, it's four halfcourts of nonstop basketball as teams do everything they can to avoid elimination. At the same time, there's food to eat and silent auction items to bid on and raffle tickets to buy and friends to catch up with and field space to recreate on - that is, until two teams are called to occupy the next open court.
After a few rounds it's time for lunch, and for those interested, contests. A 3-point shooting contest is a PALS staple, and always draws a hefty sign-up. The prize? Half the pot of the entry fee to participate. After that, anyone can take a stab at our half-court shooting contest. The prize for those making the necessary shots? A lot of great (and FREE) PALS swag! And whether you are contest bound or not, one and all are invited to enjoy a special ice cream treat!
Then it's drawing time and winners of three raffles are announced. Winners take home some great game tickets and other cool stuff. And then? Back to basketball until there are only two teams standing - an undefeated team and the winner of the winner's bracket, and a one-loss team and the winner of the loser's bracket. The finals is one game if the winner's bracket team wins. If the loser's bracket wins game one, then one more game will determine the champ.
Trophies and prizes are presented to both teams, and another tournament is in the books!
Twenty Nine Years of Patrick's PALS are in the books. All but two years (Covid) included basketball, and therefore 27 champs. (Four appear above, ranging from Year One ('97) to Year 29 ('25) to two in-between. For many years Cambridge was our home, in three different venues. For one year, we called Waltham (Bentley College) home. And for the past two years ('24 & '25) we have hung our hat at a state-of-the-art facility known as the TRACK at 91 Guest Street in Brighton.
As we embark on our 30th year in support of FRAXA Research Foundation, it's easy to become retrospective. And it's also easy to state the following: Patrick's PALS lives on because of an amazing collection of generous and loyal and considerate participants and donors and contributors.
"Thank you" only begins to scratch the surface of expressing the gratitude Patrick's PALS feels for everyone pictured below from years past, to so many others who have embraced the cause. THANK YOU!!!
Patrick Nolan Vershbow
Patrick was born February 18, 1993 to James & Pamela Vershbow. After 10 often difficult and challenging months, filled with benchmarks not met and struggles with health, Patrick was seen by a pediatric neurologist. After hours of testing, and weeks of waiting to hear back from the doctor, James & Pamela received a phone call one early morning in December and were told that Patrick had something called Fragile X Syndrome.
The luck, while there is really next to none learning this news, was that the doctor who put Patrick through the extensive tests did so because just weeks earlier he had attended a medical conference where he heard of Fragile X for the first time. Things to look out for, such as large ears and larger-than-normal cranial size, among other features, were evident in Patrick and led the doctor to test for Fragile X.
Early diagnosis of anything is of course important, but the problem was, Fragile X was not a mainstream diagnosis. And the internet was not a thing yet. James & Pamela needed to know immediately what the future held for Patrick.
Once off the phone with the doctor, before even allowing the news to sink in, Pamela rushed to the local library to study a medical reference book. All she could find though was one short paragraph about Fragile X.
And so, the challenge of raising a beautiful boy with Fragile X was on. Many of the early years were filled with hardship for Patrick. Severe ear infections, depression, lack of language, sleep and sensory deprivation, eating disorders and seizures only begin to tell the story. Patrick spent too much time hospitalized as a result.
It wasn't till his mid-teens that health issues dissipated somewhat, only to be replaced by behavioral issues- sometimes quite severe. Over time, and thanks to specialists and placement in a quality special needs program, Patrick began to 'level out' somewhat between the ages of 16 and 22.
Since turning 22 Patrick has attended a Monday through Friday day program for adults with disabilities. Patrick participates in supervised work and recreational opportunities geared to his abilities. Now 32 and 10 years into the program, Patrick continues to live at home with mom, dad, sister, dog and three cats.
Pamela and Patrick, 1997
About Patrick’s PALS
The PALS Board
Row 1: Pamela Vershbow, Steve Savarese, Bill Rome, Jon Pressman, Jim Vershbow
Row 2: Jim Marks, Scott Katz, Andrew Pressman, Peter Savarese
Row 3: Daniel Marks , Steven Rome
Patrick’s PALS was established in 1997 by James & Pamela Vershbow, Jon Pressman, Bill Rome, and Steve Savarese. At the same time, a basketball tournament was established, to be held every year to raise awareness of Fragile X Syndrome and raise funds to further research to find a cure. The Patrick in Patrick's PALS is the son of James and Pamela. Born in February 1993, he was diagnosed 11 months later with Fragile X syndrome. Patrick lives at home and attends a adult services day-program Monday through Friday.
Supporting Fragile X Research Through Basketball
In 1994, James and Pamela were introduced to FRAXA Research Foundation, which had just been co-founded by three parents of children with Fragile X. Over the next few years, with the support of family and friends, James and Pamela began holding events aimed at raising both awareness and funds to support FRAXA’s mission to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
In the winter of 1996, the four close friends whose bond began 20 years earlier, began talking about ways to build upon the fundraising that Pamela and Jim were doing. Jon, Billy and Steve simply wanted to HELP! And then the idea came. Four guys who played a lot of basketball together would reach out to their friends to form teams and participate in a double-elimination basketball tournament. PALS 1 took place on the first Saturday after Memorial Day at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge (tournament host for years 1 & 2). Modest success was the order of the day in the early years, with $12-$15K raised and between 12 and 16 teams. In 1999, BB&N, also in Cambridge, began a run of 21 years as host. The larger facility allowed for more teams, and as the event gained greater exposure, the tournament grew to 32 teams. Over time, thanks to loyal donors, new participants, and large gifts, fundraising saw a gradual growth, from $30K a year to as high as $175K a few years ago. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Patrick’s PALS 29 welcomed a full slate of teams, featured contests, a silent auction, raffles, and more, and raised over $150,000 for FRAXA.
The Patrick's PALS Board has also experienced growth. Within a few years of inception, close friends Jim Marks and Scott Katz joined the Board. And, in what helps make the event and the day and the planning so special, over time, the sons of Board members Jon, Billy, Steve and Jim joined the team, namely Andrew Pressman, Peter Savarese, Daniel Marks and Steven Rome.
30 Years of Hoops, All For a Cure
Patrick’s PALS is incredibly proud to have raised $2.5 million over 29 years, all of which has gone directly to FRAXA Research Foundation to fund critical research.
In 2026, Patrick’s PALS will mark its 30th anniversary on a date that couldn’t be more fitting — May 30. What began as a modest tournament in a Cambridge gym has grown into a day-long event filled with friends, family, and players of all ages — now held at a truly spectacular venue, the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton. Nestled alongside the practice homes of the Boston Bruins and Celtics and the New Balance headquarters, it’s a facility that matches the spirit and energy of the day. We hope you’ll join us in 2026 as Patrick’s PALS turns 30, and as FRAXA Research Foundation continues its mission to bring us closer to a cure for Fragile X.
Patrick's PALS is one of of so many family-based events that have supported FRAXA over the years. We are very proud to be a part of that team! When the day comes and a cure has been found, it will be because of the tireless efforts of FRAXA Research Foundation, and of course, the support of loyal donors such as you!
Until that day, Patrick's PALS continues on.
Established
1994
Katie Clapp
President & Co-Founder
Michael Tranfaglia
Medical Director & Co-Founder
