By: centraljersey.com
The Hamilton Girls Softball Association held its 5th annual Playing for the Pink breast cancer awareness tournament donation check presentation at the Susan G Komen for the Cure offices in Lawrenceville.
As part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation’s Passionately Pink for the Cure program, Playing for the Pink unites youth fast-pitch softball teams in fundraising for breast cancer research, education and awareness. This year’s two-day event involved over 1,040 players from the tri-state area participating on seventy-eight teams in the 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U brackets as well as national and local corporate sponsors, businesses, vendors and volunteers in Hamilton, Ewing and the Mercer County area.
Playing for the Pink teams were required to pay a reduced entry fee and encouraged to fundraise above the entry fee to help support local breast cancer research and awareness. The Playing for the Pink players spent the weeks immediately preceding the tournament engaged in bake sales, walk-a-thons, hit-a-thons, can shakes, car washes and hosting softball clinics striving to raise funds for the cause.
Playing for the Pink’s tournament director, Tara Lavin, on why the Hamilton Girls Softball Association hosts the annual event: "It is important to our league that our players learn to give back to the community that supports their softball endeavors year round. As female softball players, they have the unique ability to use their sport to help make a difference in the fight against a disease that currently affects 1 in 8 U.S. women.
"We continue to be astounded by the support the local softball community has given this effort – it is amazing to see all the young players come together to work towards the tournament goal every year."
The tournament benefits two local breast cancer charities – Susan G Komen for the Cure Central and South Jersey and the Princeton YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center. Together, these charities have been the recipients of over $180,000 from Playing for the Pink since the tournament began five years ago. At last night’s 2010 tournament donation check presentation representing the tournament players were several local Mercer County fast pitch teams – the host Hamilton Hurricanes, along with the Jersey Bandits, Jersey Nightmare and the West Jersey Witches. Also on hand were player reps from the top fundraising teams in the five age groups, the Medford Black Diamonds, Mystics Blue, NJ Fury, Flemington Flames and the South Jersey Swat.
"It is so important for girls to start learning about breast health at a young age, and the Playing for the Pink tournament is a fantastic way to get this message across," Kara Stephenson, Director of the YWCA Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center said while accepting a $5,000 donation check from the players. "BCRC is honored to be a beneficiary of this very special event, and the girls should be very proud to know that their efforts will help provide local women and families with vital information and support services to help them live with, through, and beyond breast cancer."
Nancy K. Healey, Executive Director, Central and South Jersey Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure received a $55,000 donation check from the players.
"Every year, I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for this event," she said. "From the organizers to the coaches and players, the generosity and dedication to Komen is amazing. We are so grateful for the support of everyone involved with Playing for the Pink."
The Jersey Nightmare Fastpitch Softball organization raised a total of $2098. Two members, Kellie Hodson and Lauren Miller, also participated in the Race for the Cure sponsored by Susan G. Komen of Central and South Jersey. Kellie raised over $2300 and finished as the 3rd highest fundraiser in the 18 and under division. Since 2004, Kellie and her brothers and sister have raised in excess of $20,000 for the local Komen affiliate through their participation in the Race for the Cure.

