Spike Out Cancer

On Thursday, October 6^th 2011 at 4p.m., Staten Island high school, St. Joseph Hill Academy hosted an event known as the Spike Out Cancer Game. This was the second year in a row that the high school participated in this event. This event was a volleyball game that was played in order to bring awareness to and raise money for breast cancer research. The opposing team, from Susan E. Wagner High School, also played a major role in raising money for the cause. Virginia Mayrose, the coach for St. Joseph Hill Academy High School, brought it to my attention that “the game was played at Susan E. Wagner High School the previous year, and we [Mayrose and Marco Altieri, Susan E. Wagner coach] agreed to alternate the location of the event each year.”

As we all know, breast cancer is a very common and deadly form of cancer that affects not only women, but also men all over the world. The fatalities from breast cancer have decreased over the years, largely due to the fact that more and more people are becoming aware of the disease, along with early detection, which plays a major role in overcoming the disease, and new research. A large portion of the money used for research comes from the many groups and organizations that have committed themselves to sponsoring events for breast cancer and raising money for cancer research. The volleyball game between St. Joseph Hill Academy High School and Susan Wagner High School is a great example of an event that it used to raise money for breast cancer. It was only fitting that this volleyball game took place during the month of October, which is known as breast cancer awareness month.

Participating in this event was a big deal for both of the volleyball teams and meant a lot to each player that was involved. “This game is played to get the message about breast cancer out and to hopefully find out more about the prevention and early detection of the disease”, said St. Joseph Hill Academy coach Virginia Mayrose. Mayrose has also encountered a personal connection with breast cancer. “I have known people who have been affected by breast cancer. A former volleyball player of mine lost her mother to breast cancer and a good friend of mine has a sister in law who is a breast cancer survivor. I, myself, have also had some minor surgery due to breast cancer prevention,” she said. “Coaching a team from an all-girls school, I want the girls to be aware of the disease and to not be afraid to talk about it.” The girls on the team all looked forward to participating in the game and getting involved in raising money for such a great cause. As their coach and teacher, Virginia Mayrose was very elated with the way the girls showed their support.

            The players on the team also share the same enthusiasm as their coach. “Playing in this game meant a lot to me. Knowing that all of the donations and money raised are going to a great cause and knowing that we were able to have fun while raising the money, makes me proud and happy that I was able to be a part of it,” said St. Joseph Hill sophomore Tatiana Perone. “Personally knowing someone that has been diagnosed with breast cancer motivated me even more. Knowing what she went through made me want to help and raise money so that hopefully they can find easier ways to cure this form of cancer.”

Perone wasn’t the only player to express her excitement on participating in this event. Senior, Jacqueline Solomon, agreed with her teammate. “I have participated in many fundraisers that have been held at St. Joseph Hill Academy and this is my second time playing in the breast cancer awareness game. However, being a woman and knowing that at any time I, myself, could develop breast cancer, gives this specific event more meaning to me. This game means so much to me, knowing that my participation may help someone overcome this disease. This game brings the team closer together, as we all encourage each other and work together to make this event successful and raise a lot of money for breast cancer. Even though we lost the game, we had so much fun playing the sport that we love and are very proud to be apart of a team that is willing to help out others.”

            It is easily visible that the entire St. Joseph Hill volleyball team, as well as opposing team Susan E. Wagner High School, enjoys playing in this game. All of the players on both teams wore special pink breast cancer jerseys, pink socks, and some even wore pink face paint. The gym’s normal blue and white walls were covered with an array of pink decorations, from streamers to posters and even pink balloons. Not only do the players enjoy participating in this event, other students from the school find it important to attend. Many other students volunteer their time to work the snack stand and sell the baked goods to the spectators. Other students volunteer to work the clock, and keep the score of the game. Without these other students volunteering, the game would not be possible.

The stands were full of parents, family members, and supporters cheering the teams on. One particular spectator, Carol Giza, was thrilled to be able to attend this event. Carol Giza, who knows what it is like to live with breast cancer, is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. She has been fighting this horrible disease for the past two years. “Seeing all of the work and the dedication that the girls put into making this event possible, brings a tear to my eye. The fact that they are willing to raise money for something that is so personal to me, and that their help may possibly lead to a cure for myself and so many other women is wonderful,” said Carol. “If this type of dedication had occurred years ago when I was in high school, breast cancer research could have been years ahead of its time. Hopefully none of these girls will ever have to go through what I am going through, and I want them all to realize how much, even a small event, helps when it comes to finding a cure for this disease. 

The money that was raised at this event came from several different sources. A five-dollar admission fee was charged at the door. Also, 50-50 raffles were sold during the game with half of the money obtained from the raffle going to breast cancer research. The students at St. Joseph Hill Academy and their parents baked cupcakes, cookies, and other treats and sold them the day of the game. Pink, breast cancer tee shirts that were designed by the members of the St. Joseph Hill Academy volleyball team were also sold in order to raise money. These shirts were available to the entire school, family members, friends, and spectators at the game. The students who purchased a shirt were able to wear them every Friday in October, in place of their regular uniform shirt. Both coaches verified that they were very happy and pleased with the outcome of this event. One of their goals was to raise more money than they did the previous year. When this event was over, they achieved their goal and the two teams were overwhelmed and excited to have raised one thousand five hundred and sixteen dollars for The American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

This years Spike Out Cancer Game was a tremendous success and the team’s goal of raising more money than last year’s event was accomplished. Both coaches, Virginia Mayrose of St. Joseph Hill Academy and Marco Altieri of Susan E. Wagner are already looking into the future. They have already committed to participating in the event next year and trying to make it even bigger and better. Seeing how much the girls love being involved in the event, they are thinking of possibly turning the game into a multiple high-school tournament. This will allow more than two schools and many more girls the opportunity to participate in such a great and meaningful event. With an increase in the number of teams, players, and spectators participating, there are high hopes of raising even more money for breast cancer than they did this year.