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Hopewell Valley High School Football Leads "Pink Out" for Breast Cancer

By Diane Hasili
Not only are they laser-focused on the football field, Hopewell Valley Central High School’s players are just as committed to helping those with breast cancer. Their recent “PINK OUT” raised $883 for the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton.
Varsity football captains were pivotal in leading the community PINK OUT. Captains and seniors Chaz Bell, Sean Richards, Alec Hasse, and Steven Profetto, came together to lead a school-wide initiative raising funds through the sale of t-shirts.
 “Last year our breast cancer motto was Hope for Hopewell. This year we decided to name it the Hopewell Pink Out, in hopes that there would be a massive amount of pink on the field and in the bleachers at the game,” shares Alec Hasse.
And what a day it was in October. The Bulldogs took on Burlington Township under sunny skies with the players dressed in pink shirts and socks. In addition to supporting breast cancer, their new field was dedicated that day. Senior Chaz Bell said, “It was great to have so many people there for both events. It really motivated the players to give our all during the game. We knew we were playing for more than a win on the field.”
Cynthia Wiley, of the Hopewell Gridiron, was instrumental in helping the team organize and pull off the PINK OUT success. The players rallied together in building momentum and increasing awareness of breast cancer. They got the word out through Facebook and reached out to fellow students personally. The student response was so positive, the T-shirts sold out within days. Aztec Graphics came to the rescue printing more to meet the demand ensuring everyone who wanted to participate could.
The captains presented was presented a check this week to the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton. For four decades, the Breast Cancer Resource Center has provided crucial services to help women through all phases of breast cancer – from diagnosis, through treatment, remission, and even recurrence. Long recognized in the community for its quality support services, it has become a model for similar facilities across the country.
Survivors point to the YWCA Princeton’s support groups, counseling, and peer support network as important facets of their recoveries. Being able to connect in a safe, nurturing environment, is pivotal to many women. Offerings extend to financial assistance, information resources, a guest speaker series, and a wide variety of mind/body wellness classes including zumba, yoga, nia, strengthen & stretch, and water exercise. “Our Breast Cancer Resource Center relies heavily on donations. We are especially thankful to all the Hopewell Valley students for their support,” says Diane Hasili, YWCA Princeton spokesperson. “We are appreciative that they have become ambassadors in spreading the word that we are here when someone in the community is diagnosed with breast cancer.”
 Coach Dave Caldwell feels privileged to work with the team. He states, “It was all their doing. They are very civic minded throughout the year. I’m very proud of them.”