BERLIN — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and perhaps no better illustration of the spirit of the myriad of events being held around the resort area was on display at the Worcester Prep athletic fields on Wednesday afternoon.
Against the backdrop of a picture-perfect early October afternoon on the shore, Worcester Prep’s unbeaten field hockey team dedicated its game on Wednesday to Play4theCure to help support the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) fundraising and awareness campaign. Adorned in bright pink Play4theCure jerseys, pink socks and headbands, the Mallards took on Holly Grove at home on Wednesday in an important Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) game.
More important than the outcome on the field, however, was the team’s concerted efforts to raised awareness and funds for the NFCR through its partnership with the Play4theCure campaign. The team hosted a bake sale, held raffles and collected general donations in advance of the contest with Holly Grove.
“We joined Play4theCure because we felt it is a great cause and many of us have been touched by the impact of cancer and the loss of loved ones,” said WPS field hockey team captain Jordie Loomis. “Play4theCure is a way to dedicate a game in their honor. I’m proud to teach the team that if we join together and raise awareness, we can play a role in impacting and supporting the community by taking the time to recognize and donate to the cause.”
All of the donations collected during the game on Wednesday will be donated to the NFCR. NFCR President Franklin C. Salisbury, Jr. said many young
athletes in the area want to participate in the fundraising and awareness campaign.
“Cancer touches too many young people,” he said. “Young athletes and coaches are inspired to make a difference in the fight against cancer, but many of them don’t know how. Play4thCure offers teams the opportunity to do what they love, while helping to provide much needed resources for cancer research.”
For the record, Worcester beat Holly Grove, 4-1, to remain unbeaten on the season at 10-0, but the outcome on the field was secondary to the spirit of the contest. Hannah Nechay got Worcester on the board just four minutes into the contest and Caroline Lindsay added a second goal just four minutes after that. Nechay and Lindsay each scored two goals in the game to lead the Mallards to the 4-1 win.