As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month winds down, St. Edmund Prep H.S., Sheepshead Bay, once again turned in a monthlong series of events to support the cause.
According to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death — after lung cancer — among women in New York City. Each year, more than 1,000 women in the city die from breast cancer, which can have no signs or symptoms.
Early detection, however, can save lives.
The student-athletes and community members at St. Edmund made sure their efforts — through a fundraiser called “Dig Pink” — would encourage women starting at age 40 to schedule a mammogram. Doing so can catch the cancer early, which ultimately leads to a higher survival rate.
Starting in 2016, St. Edmund Prep teamed up with the Side Out Foundation, a nonprofit breast cancer charity organization, to raise funds for breast cancer research. Each year, a girls’ varsity volleyball player gets named the Dig Pink Ambassador and coordinates the monthlong activities.
This year’s Dig Pink Ambassador was senior outside hitter Avangeline Greco, also a team captain. She’s been part of the fundraiser in all four of her volleyball seasons, so she saw the tremendous impact these efforts had for the foundation.
“I wanted to be able to help others the way I saw the girls before me help others,” Greco said. “It was really inspiring for me. My godmother has breast cancer, so it hits close to home. I’m doing it to keep the tradition going and doing my best to continue what we’ve been doing.”
Throughout October, the Eagles volleyball program hosted two bake sales; sold T-shirts, pins, and bracelets; and held 50/50 and Six Flags “Fright Fest” raffles to raise funds, with a target goal of $7,000.
Every $2,000 raised through Dig Pink allows Side Out to conduct research specifically for patients with metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced form of the disease and the least-funded area of research.
Among the many highlights of the month was the annual junior varsity and varsity Dig Pink volleyball match, played this year on Oct. 18 against Christ the King H.S., Middle Village. Both teams wore their special Dig Pink T-shirts as they played.
“It was nice to see everyone’s support and everyone wearing the T-shirts,” Greco said. “At the game, I was able to see that support even more, and I was really appreciative.”
Back by popular demand, another raffle gave the lucky winner the chance to pie Assistant Athletic Director Danielle Johnson in the face during the annual student vs. faculty volleyball match. Johnson’s been a great sport the last two years — even if things have gotten a little messy.
“It has definitely grown each year, and I think the kids understand a lot more about it,” said Johnson, a 2000 graduate of St. Edmund. “Especially in girls’ volleyball, the girls know what’s important about things that can affect them later. Once these kids start seeing that it could affect them and their family, they go all out. They understand what this research can do.”
Once again, the St. Edmund Prep community rallied around this worthy cause. Their efforts are showing that breast cancer research and fundraising can be a yearlong initiative.
“Our friends, family, and alumni come through like never before,” Johnson said. “All we have to do is send out a link, and they are here to donate and offer their support.”