Blog

12/19/2017, BETHESDA, MD—As the year comes to an end, we want to take the time to celebrate the accomplishments of our hardworking teams and coaches. We’re grateful to have the support of our all of teams working together to make a difference in cancer research for a CURE. They did bake sales, sold t-shirts, and shared some inspirational stories. Here are our top fundraisers of 2017, with some insight on how they got there:

10. NEWMAC Field Hockey Coaches | New England

Fundraising Total: $3,023

The Story: Organized by Babson Head Coach, Julie Ryan, all nine NEWMAC Field Hockey Coaches united together in support of cancer research. Putting aside their competition, these coaches epitomized what it means to ‘Play4’ something bigger than the game.

9. Marcella Yedid Athletic Week | Annapolis, MD

Fundraising Total: $3,210

The Story: Harnessing the power of teamwork, Key School Sophomore Delaney Snowden rallied four of her school’s sports teams to raise money for Play4TheCure. Together the Field Hockey, Volleyball, Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer teams participated in Marcella Yedid Athletic week, honoring their Headmaster who passed away from Colon Cancer. Each team created their own fundraising page and donated to the cancer type that was important to them.

8. Bucknell Field Hockey | Lewisburg, PA

Fundraising Total: $3,550

The Story: For the past 5 years, Bucknell Field Hockey has dedicated a game to Play4TheCure. This year they turned it up a notch and raised nearly 2.5 times more than they over that past 4 years combined to become one of our top 10 teams!

7. George Washington University Club Field Hockey | Washington, DC

Fundraising Total: $4, 128

The Story: A shining example of the power of peer-to-peer fundraising, the GW Club Field Hockey team was motivated to give back because (like many teams) everyone has been affected in one way or another by the disease. On their Crowdrise page, more than 25 members of the team created individual fundraising pages to help boost their efforts. Amassing many $10-$25 from friends, family, and classmates.
 

6. Burlington Township High School | NJ

Fundraising Total: $4,361.25

The Story: Boasting 8-10 years of Play4TheCure games, Burlington Township’s Field Hockey Team takes great pride in their efforts to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. While the team uses numerous fundraising approaches to engage their community, painting pink pumpkins donated by a local farm is by far a team favorite.

 

5. Chelsea Field Hockey | MI

Fundraising Total: $4,564.17

The Story: When Roxy Block, co-founder and pioneer in the Southeastern Michigan field hockey community was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Chelsea Field Hockey was inspired to get. Not only does the Chelsea High School team Play4TheCure but they collaborate with local middle and high schools in the area including Beach Middle School, Dexter Field Hockey, Ann Arbor Skyline, Pinckney Field Hockey and Greenhills Middle School to make an impact on cancer research. With the support of several community teams, Chelsea Field Hockey smashed their previous contributions and surpassed their goal for 2017.

4. Lynnfield High School Field Hockey | MA

Fundraising Total: $5,642.06

The Story: This year’s goal was to ‘Scare Away Cancer’ and the Lynnfield Field Hockey Community did not disappoint. Similar to the ‘you’ve been flocked’ fundraiser when plastic flamingos appear in a yard overnight, but keeping with their theme, they planted mini scarecrows and ghosts and asked for donations as a removal fee.  With great support from the team parents, they held a bake sale, raffle, and offered concessions as part of the gameday fun!

 

3. Valley Christian High School Girls Soccer | Cerritos, CA

Fundraising Total: $5,744

The Story: For 7 years, Head Girls’ Soccer Coach Kim Looney has hosted a ‘Kick It To Cancer’ day at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA. Each year, Looney shares a story as to why the game is important to them and the community responds in full force with support. The team has a donation jar at their gate along with a plethora of raffle items such as Lakers tickets, Restaurant gift cards, bikes, and an iPad. They’ve even had the In-N-Out Burger Truck at lunch for a day!

 
2. Ethel Walker School Field Hockey | Simsbury, CT

Fundraising Total: $7,600.00

The Story: In the words of Head Field Hockey Coach, Mimi Duran, “I believe our athletes benefit from committing ourselves as a team both on and off the field.” Duran lost her father to cancer at a young age and has grown to support many organizations fighting the disease. Over the years their event has evolved, but the girls thought they could do more to involve other teams and raise more funds. They decided on a Play4theCure play day.
 

1. Upper Dublin High School Field Hockey | PA

Fundraising Total: $10,373.00

The Story: Nearly 10 years ago, Upper Dublin Coach Heather Boyer organized an event to raise funds for a former player’s mom who was battling Stage IV Breast Cancer. Today Corners for Cancer has grown into a community-wide Play Day honoring everyone affected across ALL types of cancer. Throughout the fall season, players will sell t-shirts, host penny wars at football games and reach out to local businesses for auction donations.

There’s still time to send in your donation for your 2017 Play4TheCure game! Contributions can be submitted online at https://secure.nfcr.org/page/contribute/play4thecure (be sure to include what team you are supporting) OR you can send your checks to:

National Foundation for Cancer Research
ATTN: Play4TheCure
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1105
Rockville MD 20852