During October, which was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, student athletes across the region turned their games into a powerful show of support raising cancer awareness and funds for those in need.
Each October, teams across Section X wear specially designed t-shirts during “pink games” encouraging spectators to support fundraising raffles.
“It’s great to see how our student-athletes use their sports to bring communities together, not just for competition, but for something much bigger,” said Mark Wilson, executive director of Section X.
While October focuses on breast cancer, schools extend their support to anyone in their communities affected by cancer.
“We support everyone who has battled cancer or is currently fighting it,” said Kaylee Kline, a senior volleyball player at Ogdensburg Free Academy. “We’re all in this together and no one is alone. Life brings challenges, and knowing someone is there for you can mean everything. That sense of family and community is what we want everyone to feel.”
Each fall, Section X volleyball teams take turns designing the pink out shirts. This year, Tupper Lake created the design.
The Gouverneur junior varsity volleyball team hosted its pink game, raising $950. Donors wrote names on pink ribbons or volleyballs, which were displayed during the match. This year, the team added teal to honor ovarian cancer. Proceeds were donated to the Gouverneur Women’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Ogdensburg Free Academy raised over $1,000 for the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg. The team also plans to deliver comfort products to patients at the center.
“It gives us a reason to play and do better on and off the court,” said Aspen Ramie, a senior volleyball player at OFA.
Chateaugay varsity volleyball hosted its pink game to support a local family recently impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Donors received cancer awareness bracelets and the team raised approximately $800.
“I’ve never been more proud to be a Bulldog,” said Megan Nemier-Green, varsity volleyball coach at Chateaugay Central School.
Clifton-Fine Central held its pink out night with a donation table and student-made posters honoring current breast cancer patients or a survivor. The girls raised about $450, which will be donated to a local charity or individual in need. Last year, funds were split between a school secretary battling breast cancer and two teaching assistants.
Harrisville girls varsity and modified soccer teams wore pink socks during their pink game to support breast cancer awareness, a cause close to home for several players and their coach.
Winter and spring teams across Section X also host pink games throughout the year, continuing the fight against cancer and showing how athletics can unite communities for a greater cause.
