Nearly $45,000 has been raised over the past nine years during St. Lawrence University’s Power of Pink week. This money has helped families of the North Country in the battle against breast cancer.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in partnership with the Athletic Department facilitated a Power of Pink week from Oct. 2-7. During this time, there were seven athletic matches held in the name of supporting breast cancer awareness that took place.
The money raised was donated to Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund, which serves St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis and Franklin counties. Since its founding in 2001, 675 people in the North Country have been supported with their financial needs in the fight against breast cancer. The organization is run solely by volunteers, so 100 percent of donations go directly to the people in need.
Terry Pistolesi is one of these volunteers, working to raise funds to cover the patients rent, mortgage, utility bills, car payments, medical co-payments and any other needs. The fund works closely with individuals in order to satisfy each person’s specific needs. “Different events that are held on our behalf, without those events, we’re not able to make it through the year meeting the needs of the community,” Pistolesi says.
Emily Sullivan, Vice President of Student Affairs for SAAC, played an integral role in organizing the event with her fellow executive board members. “Power of Pink is one of our most important and favorite events of the year,” Sullivan says, who in addition to being a part of SAAC is a member of the Women’s Soccer Team. “At each game, we set up merchandise tables as well as donation boxes. All proceeds went to the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund. This year we raised $4,282.”
The Women’s Soccer Team, lead by head coach Sinead Mcsharry, was one of the teams that participated in the events of the week, and honored a survivor of its own. “One of our team’s family members came down to the field and we gave her flowers,” McSharry said. “The importance of Power of Pink is to raise awareness and celebrate survivors, which is what our Women’s Soccer Team did.”
Many students and their families are affected by breast cancer. Ellen Potter Gaffney is the mother of a student who attends St. Lawrence University, and has high regards for events like Power of Pink. “As a breast cancer survivor, I’m comforted and grateful that my son goes to school in such a compassionate and caring environment,” Gaffney says.