Breast cancer has touched a lot of lives on Long Island so when the Levittown Soccer Club was trying to find a way to give back to the community, the organization was a no-brainer. The club decided to raise money for Breast Cancer Research Foundation, headed by Long Islander Stephanie Ginsberg, to be their target. “I couldn’t have picked a more amazing person and organization,” said Nicole Mancini, a parent and organizer of the fundraiser.
The soccer club bolted into action with the creation of T-shirts with the saying, “Let’s Kick Cancer” as well as pink socks. With more than $4,000 raised in 2012, the club got down to business again. With the community’s support, more than 250 shirts were sold along with 600 pairs of socks, amounting to $8,000 for the organization.
On Oct. 27, the soccer club held a small ceremony and emotional on the field at Gardiners Avenue School to thank the community for their participation in the fundraiser as well as to present Ginsberg with a check for the funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Christina, a breast cancer survivor from Bellmore, said that when people from her town ask her why she plays soccer in Levittown, the feeling of community is the reason that she gives them.
“I am a proud parent of Levittown soccer, but today, it means more than anyone can even imagine,” she said. Christina explained that she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer after finding it herself in 2012. Three surgeries and countless procedures later, she has been cleared of her cancer. She said she received so much community support while she was batting breast cancer and it really made a difference to her. “I just want everyone to know that you are helping people closer than you think,” she said. “I am proud to say that is all behind me. It’s not always easy to come out and say ‘I have breast cancer’ but it a lot easier to say ‘I’m a survivor of breast cancer,” she explained. “It means a lot to know that your community will support you, whether they realize it or not.”
When her sister said the words, “I have breast cancer,” to her, Ginsberg knew that she needed to take action. “I started Pink Promises because my sister was diagnosed and I felt that there was something Long Islanders needed to do to be heard in the fight against breast cancer,” she explained. Breast Cancer Research Foundation donates almost $.91 per dollar towards breast cancer research. “With research, there will be a cure,” she said.
Ginsberg told the group that the chapter was so thankful for their time and effort and that there donation would go on to make a huge impact on those in their community suffering from breast cancer. “You guys are absolutely amazing and this community is phenomenal,” she said while fighting back tears. “I have the chills. Levittown is a really special place with wonderful kids and wonderful people and I can’t thank you enough,” said Ginsberg.
