Site Editor posted on April 06, 2014 20:21
Normally competing as rivals in the SJHSHL, these 2 teams have come together to fight MS as they played the 2nd annual Score for a Cure exhibition game at Voorhees this past Sunday, April 6th, with all the proceeds going towards the research to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. This game wasn’t about who won or lost, although Riverfront did win 6-3, but more about people uniting to raise money and awareness for a great cause. This event was born through participation of the Delran hockey team that had been participating in a tournament in Pennsylvania called Wink for Pink, a fundraiser for research and treatment in the fight against breast cancer.
After participating in the Wink for Pink fundraiser for 2 years they decided to initiate a home-based project of their own. Riverfront players, Christian Haviland, Michael DiCioccio and Nick Taylor were also looking for a service project for the National Honor Society. Nick’ s mom suffers from MS and once the idea was circulated throughout the club, they found there were two other moms who have MS, Colleen Martin and Kathy Conrad. With this the cause was now identified. The players designed the shirts and jerseys themselves and then spread the word at school. Chinese auction baskets were donated and the efforts and enthusiasm showed by the players inspired the parents to get involved. In only its second year the event raised over $7,000 with all the proceeds to go to the National MS Society. This year both the Varsity and JV were involved and the turnout was amazing.
So often, we don’t stop and think how fortunate many of us are with good health. There are over 400,000 people are living with MS, a progressive disease that advances silently. With Riverfront making some noise, however small the noise is, will help towards more knowledge and medications.
Notes: Thanks to Cheryl Parker for giving us the background information on the origin of this event, Next year I’d like to see our South Jersey teams be more supportive for this good cause.
Written by Mike Costantino