Keene State Women's Soccer Team "Making Strides" in 14th Annual American Cancer Walk Against Breast Cancer
PETERBOROUGH, N.H. 10/16/06 - Noted for their ability to race up and down the field, the Keene State College women’s soccer team also demonstrated that they’re just as adept at “making strides.”
Members of the team took part in Sunday’s 14th annual American Cancer Society’s 3.5- mile walk against breast cancer in Peterborough. The Peterborough walk was one of eight events held in New Hampshire on Sunday. The eight events raised $1.5 million. The Peterborough walk grossed $77,000. The KSC team alone raised $6,520, nearly 10 percent of the total.
Courtney Gately, a senior forward from Canton, Mass., organized the Owls’ participation and coordinated donations.
“Sarah Testo, our assistant coach, lost her mother to breast cancer,” said Gately. “Many of us have relatives and friends that have at one point been diagnosed with breast cancer. My aunt fought against it and is a survivor, but my grandmother passed away from it.”
The players were supporting not only the cause, but also two teammates, Aly Beadle and Lauren Buchan, whose mothers have just been diagnosed. “Not only is my mom one of the strongest people I know, but she’s also one of the most important people in my life, said Beadle,” a junior midfielder from East Hartford, Conn. “I am making this commitment to show my support and help raise awareness.”
“It’s incredible to have the support of my team,” added Buchan, a junior midfielder from Ashland, Mass. “They have been around all season to help Ali and me get through this.”
Every player on the team participated in the walk, including Head Coach Denise Lyons. “Everybody knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer”, said Lyons, who supported the walk as a team-building experience. “We need to find a cure.”
Regina Patterson, the event coordinator, was extremely delighted with the team’s participation in the walk. “Their energy was fantastic, she said. “I know they had personal reasons for being there. It was impressive to see them walk into the parking lot with their Keene State soccer jackets on, ready to go.”
