ROCK HILL, SC—The Second Annual "Kicks Against Cancer" game proved to be successful once again as the initial goal was exceeded for the second straight year. Winthrop men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country along with the volleyball team and Pi Kappa Alpha helped raise over $20,000.
Around 300 fans attended the contest that combined the men's and women's soccer teams in a mixed scrimmage. The campaign to raise money for the American Cancer Society began in September of 2009 and concluded with Tuesday's game. Posipanko's wife Gayle was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2008 and months later Posipanko started to get his ideas together for raising money for the American Cancer Society. Once the plans were set and the players had instructions on fundraising, the donations began to arrive.
“Awareness, support, and research are just a few things that have come from this incredible event,” said head volleyball coach Sally Polhamus. “To be able to honor those that have lost their fight with cancer, those that are currently fighting their battle and those that have beat this disease has been a truly emotional experience for our players. Our journey to help support and raise money for the American Cancer Society will continue through the month of October with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
“I'd like to thank all of our student-athletes, members of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and most of all our honorary captains,” said Posipanko. “Because of them we do this event. I would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Steven Limentani for attending the game, for his comments to the crowd, and for allowing us to donate the funds in his honor. Our student-athletes at Winthrop University have always played a leadership role in community service activities, and this is just another example of our young people doing a good thing for a worthy cause. We certainly feel we have a first class group of student-athletes here at Winthrop and we are very proud of them. We are also very appreciative for all the donations that were made and thanks to all the fans that turned out for the game. We are pleased that we reached our financial goal both years and have raised over $40,000 to date in a very difficult economy.”
Dr. Limentani, known as a top Hematologist/Oncologist, was on hand as well. The check, which was donated to the American Cancer Society, was in honor of Dr. Limentani for all the help and guidance that Dr. Limentani has provided to the Posipankos as well as the honorary captains. The honorary captains were Linda Dorsett, Gayle Posipanko, Wendy Paxton, Jane Hardin, Karen Johnston, Ann Terry, Linda Godbold, Ms. Anne Cassels (91-years old) and Becca Skonicki (in place of her mother Barb, who is recovering from a bone marrow transplant).
Posipanko and Polhamus presented Corey Clark of the American Cancer Society with a check for $21,525. In addition to the check presentation, the pre-game ceremony included the introduction of the honorary captains as well as all the members of the soccer teams releasing balloons into the sky in memory of someone close to them or those affected by cancer.
Each sport recognized the top individual fundraisers. Matt Horn, Kristin Cruse, Carly Moss, Ted Nisbett and Kylie Long each raised the most for their respective sport.
Posipanko has turned the fundraiser into an annual event and hopes to get more Winthrop athletic teams and organizations involved with the fundraising effort as well. The first year included the men’s and women’s soccer team and this year the men’s and women’s cross country team and volleyball got involved.