September 24, 2008
The Naperville (Neuqua Valley) and Aurora (Waubonsie Valley) Girls Swimming & Diving teams will host a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of breast cancer awareness when the two schools meet in a dual meet at Waubonsie Valley on Thursday, October 2.
Swimmers competing in the meet will don pink swim caps to raise awareness for breast cancer in addition to collecting donations.
“A few years ago the mother of one of our swimmers was diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Neuqua Valley head coach Jennifer Heyer-Olsen. “The team wanted to do something to heighten awareness and decided to put together a fundraising meet with pink swim caps. It has become a tradition here and is something that we will proudly continue each year.”
The 2008 event will mark the third consecutive year that Neuqua Valley has hosted the breast cancer awareness fundraiser and the positive experiences of the past have led to a similar event at neighboring Naperville (Central) this season. Naperville Central Athletic Director Marty Bee credits senior swimmer Erin Lamb for organizing the fundraiser, which will feature each participant honoring someone who has been afflicted with cancer by writing their name on the student-athletes pink swim cap.
“We participated in Neuqua Valley’s event two years ago and it was a great experience that I had never forgotten,” said Lamb. “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, so we decided to do an event of our own. Neuqua Valley is one of our rivals, so there is usually a lot of pressure surrounding the meet, but during the think pink event two years ago that pressure was gone. We felt like we were all swimming together for a bigger cause.”
Naperville Central will host Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (Coop) on Tuesday, October 7.
“We were disappointed that the schedule did not work for Naperville Central to be a part of the event as they had two years ago, but are excited to hear the event is spreading, even if it is one school and meet at a time,” added Heyer-Olsen.
Both schools will have a multitude of fundraising events planned in conjunction with the swim meets, including selling t-shirts and a bake sale with pink items.
IHSA Assistant Executive Director and Girls Swimming & Diving administrator Ron McGraw reflected on the upcoming events, “These are wonderful events and the IHSA supports the efforts of these schools completely. The work of putting together an event like this really reflects positively on the kids and provides an educational component for everyone involved. I applaud their willingness to become involved in this important women’s health issue.”
The swimming events mark the second by IHSA students that will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure this fall, as over 70 girls volleyball teams are currently registered to host Volley for the Cure fundraisers during the 2008 season.