By Aaron Thompson
Yellow Jacket Assistant Sports Editor
“You can hope or you can help.”
That is the slogan for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. This Saturday will mark year two of the “Kick Pancreatic Cancer” event held by the Waynesburg University women's soccer team at John F. Wiley Stadium to benefit the Hirshberg Foundation. The event was held last year after Catherine Moore, then a senior on the women's soccer squad, had her family impacted by Pancreatic Cancer when her father Ken was diagnosed with the illness.
The event not only raises proceeds that are donated to the Hirshberg Foundation, but also brings attention to the deadly illness. The impact of the diagnosis stretched across campus, because it did more than just affect the team. Ken Moore serves as the Board Chair of Waynesburg University Board of Trustees. Even though Catherine Moore graduated, there was an overwhelming consensus to continue the event.
“The girls make me so proud that they would keep up the event for pancreatic cancer research because not only is it a great charity, but also that the closeness I have with that specific charity is so great,” Catherine Moore said. “Personally, it is an honor to see them carry out another charity game and that the game is for pancreatic cancer research is amazing. My family and I are very proud of the team for continuing the fight and the support.”
The team has centered their efforts to grow the event and make it bigger than last year by reaching out to the campus and local communities. According to Sarah Spicuzza, a senior defender for the Yellow Jackets, the preparations for the event have really helped bring the team together.
“Kick Pancreatic Cancer is a great team bonding experience for our team,” Spicuzza said. “It is a unique way for everyone to get involved and use their individual talents.”
The team has gone numerous routes to create publicity for the event.
They created a Facebook event page a few weeks ago, and it already has over 120 people committed to attending. They have also contacted the local Chamber of Commerce, churches and youth soccer programs in the area.
The event raised $10,615 dollars last year and is looking to bring attention to a cancer which only four percent of afflicted patients live with beyond five years.
According to the Hirshberg Foundations website, pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers for which survival rates have not been improved substantially over the last 40 years. The average life expectancy after a diagnosis is just three-to-six months.
The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research's goal is supporting the ongoing efforts to find a cure for this disease. Now in its 13th year, the foundation's dedicated efforts have significantly raised awareness and understanding about the form of cancer, a disease that continues to be one of the most fatal and least funded of all cancer types.
“My hope is that people know the facts, see the need for help and then actually do something about it whether that means donating a few dollars, telling someone else or even starting an event such as Kick Pancreatic Cancer,” Spicuzza said.
Members of the team will be selling the following items: purple T-shirts for $10, Hirshberg Foundation wristbands for $3 and cutout paper soccer balls that will hang in the Stover Campus Center for $1.
Attendance for the event should be good, as the Jackets are facing a local conference opponent in Washington & Jefferson. The Jackets also hope their strong start to the season and the promotional work they have done leading up to the event also pay off in big numbers.
“We are thrilled to play our part in helping find a cure for pancreatic cancer,” said Sean McCarthy, head coach of both soccer programs at Waynesburg. “Our teams are certainly doing their part to raise awareness.”
According to Spicuzza, the success of the team should pull more fans to the game.
“Between the support of the men's team, parents and classmates, our games have been attracting more people than I've seen in the last four years,” she said. “Our games are certainly more exciting and it keeps the fans coming. As Saturday is our only home Saturday game, I hope whoever stays on campus for the weekend comes to the game to support the teams and pancreatic cancer research.”
The Jacket men, along with the Waynesburg chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, have also been aiding the women's efforts. Waynesburg's student-run radio station, 99.5 the Hive, will also be at John F. Wiley Stadium promoting the event. Even more help from the campus community will come from the Waynesburg University Athletic Training Department, which will donate all proceeds made from their concession stand to The Hirshberg Foundation.
The Jackets will also be selling purple Eat'n'Park smiley cookies at the game and many other items and gift baskets will be raffled off. Those attending are encouraged to wear purple.
The event will take place all day as the Jackets women's team plays W&J at 12 p.m. The men's team plays the Presidents at 2 p.m. Gates are expected to open for the doubleheader at 11 a.m.
