Field Hockey Team Battles Against Breast Cancer

Players and parents braved the cold and rainy weather for the first annual Stick it to Cancer Fundraiser at Wayne Hills High School Tuesday night.

The Patriots junior varsity and varsity teams faced off against cross-town rivals Wayne Valley. Wayne Hills donned special pink jerseys in support of breast cancer research. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Hills won both games.

Hills varsity coach Tina Londino thought of having a breast cancer fundraiser.

“It’s important that we help raise the awareness of cancer. I think it hits homes for a lot of people,” Londino said. “I thought it was important for my girls to learn that and to help out as much as they could.”

Parents and volunteers sold shoelaces, balloons, and T-shirts. Proceeds will be donated to Guardians of the Ribbon.  The non-profit assists local women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“You hear the word ‘cancer’ and it’s heart-wrenching. It’s scary,” said Kim Gazano, a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2009.

More than 210,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, the last year statistics were available, and more than 40,000 died from the disease, according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC recommends women get mammograms done on a regular basis once they turn 40.

“Go and get tested every year,” Gazzano said. “It’s very curable now and there’s no reason not to go.”

Carrie Burns helped organize and plan the event with other mothers whose daughters play field hockey at Hills.

“The parent here, they’re fantastic,” Burns said. “It really is like a family here.”

Londino agreed.

“My girls are extremely close. They spend all weekend together after spending time together all week,” Londino said. “These girls have a lot of respect for one another and work hard. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to coach.”

The game will be broadcast on MSG Varsity Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.