NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - On September 7, 2014, the Iona Softball team and coaches volunteered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park. Race for the Cure is an annual event that takes place in cities all over the United States; specifically, our race took place in Central Park, New York. This event raises funds and awareness as well as support for past and present woman that suffer with breast cancer. The Race for the Cure mission statement proclaims that the real victories of the race include: more early detection and effective treatment, more hope, more research, and more survivors.
The team arrived in the early morning before the sun rose. All of the girls were able to help set up tables as well as fold the Race for the Cure shirts. Once completed, the supervisor then asked for four girls to help with the check in process. These ladies were asked to work on computers to register runners and check already signed up participants in. When a racer walked up to them, they would either register them or check them in, give them their package they get for signing up, and a t-shirt for them to wear during the race. They helped this process become more efficient and effective. The rest of the team then worked at the dedication table. After racers completed the checked in process, they then proceeded to the dedication table where they were able to dedicate their race. They would write on a pink paper who or what they were racing for and pin it to their body. We heard many moving stories of survival, memories and other racers simply fighting for a cure.
The experience itself was very rewarding, especially knowing that it supports many amazing women and the fight for life and the fight to simply walk. “I had so much fun at the event and would definitely do it again,” sophomore Kristen Turner enthusiastically stated. The event was a success and it was extremely rewarding that the success it was partly due to our hard work. It was worth our great efforts and made us proud of the work that we accomplished. Overall,, it was a worthwhile experience and ICSB would love to continue to volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.