This Saturday, the Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team will continue their support of the Hawks For A Cure campaign by holding a Think Pink Game in conjunction with the team's 12:30 p.m. contest against Nichols College. All those in attendance are encouraged to wear their pink Hawks For A Cure bracelet and their brightest pink outfit.
During the game, donations will be collected as well as a 50/50 raffle held to collect proceeds for the Roger Williams Cancer Center, based out of Roger Williams Hospital in Providence.
The team will warm up in dyed pink socks and pink shirts donated to the program, in addition to selling pink ribbon pops, gift baskets, and Hawks For A Cure bracelets.
The commitment to the cause is something that is very important to every member of the Women's Soccer team, especially senior co-captain Tory Benoit, who spearheaded the organization of the event.
"I introduced pink games at my high school in memory of my grandmother who passed away when I was 11. I was really close with her, and I figured this was the least I could do. It took me a few years to get everyone on board and organized, but I finally introduced Hawks For A Cure here."
Benoit is not the only one person on the team whose family was affected by a loved one affected by cancer. The mothers of junior co-captain Kristen Tetreault and freshman Darby Rawcliffe are survivors, while the mother of sophomore Jessica Valenti lost her battle against breast cancer last month. With the memories of those lost in their hearts, everyone on the team is committed to the success of the event.
The Hawks' spirit of giving back is not limited to the team's experience with those afflicted with breast cancer. Back on September 17, prior to the team's contest against MIT, the soccer team presented the captains of the Engineers with donations totaling nearly $2,000 for the Jimmy Fund.
"We were all moved by the events of the Boston Marathon bombing," said Benoit. "While not a league opponent, most RWU teams play MIT. I have been on their campus for track meets as well as soccer games, so the pictures on TV hit home."
The team felt compelled to honor the memory of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, who was killed on April 18 by the suspected bombers of the Boston Marathon.
"We already had our pink game planned but felt we would like to acknowledge the loss of Officer Collier. One of the suggested donations his family recommended was the Jimmy Fund. That tied in with our Hawks For A Cure commitment."
Members of the Women's Soccer team along with their families made personal donations to the Sean Collier Memorial Fund through the Jimmy Fund. Donations were collected via sealed envelopes and blind online contributions.
"We were proud to show that Boston Strong extends from Mass Ave in Cambridge to Old Ferry Road in Bristol, Rhode Island. Our girls were 100% behind this and our parents were extremely generous."
The entire RWU community would like to thank the Women's Soccer program for its support and hope that you all can come out and support such a worthy cause and enjoy a great day of soccer.
