Saint Viator Athletes Strive to IGNITE the Community Around Breast Cancer Awareness
However you call it – Strike for Cancer, Volley for a Cure, or Pink the Rink – Saint Viator teams made it a priority in October to raise awareness and funds for a cure for breast cancer. And they were creative!
“The thing that most motivated me to do something like this was I have a family member and family friends who all have had breast cancer,” Brendan says. “I also was motivated to do this, knowing we had a few practices in October (since the team competes in the winter season).”
He didn’t stop there. Brendan worked with Campus Ministry to decide on a charity for their fundraiser and plan out the logistics for the day. They would end up raising more than $1,300 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation their first year out.
“I am so proud of how Brendan made this event happen, from being the one with the idea to having it all come together on October 30th,” says Coach Andrew Weber '12. “This event would not have happened without Brendan. He truly exemplifies the Viator Way in action.”
While this was a first for Saint Viator bowlers, the volleyball team has been holding Volley for a Cure for nine years and with Wheeling High School the last five years, alternating between the two schools to host the event.
A lot goes into it, mostly carried about team members. For starters, they decorate nearly every inch of the Cahill gym, with banners, balloons, and streamers. They also sell T-shirts, hold split the pot raffles, procure prizes for raffle baskets, and collect donations at both schools, for their annual recipient: the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, their efforts resulted in a nearly $8,400 contribution.
While Curtin takes pride in seeing the Wheeling Wildcats and the Lions come together for this cause, he credits his players in taking ownership of the event.
“It always amazes me to see our girls step up and try to outdo the previous year. It gives them a sense of accomplishment but expands their philanthropic giving power and allows them to realize the impact they can have,” Coach Curtin says. “This fits into our mantra of creating well-rounded athletes who will make a positive impact on the world they live in.”
Rounding out the pink attack was the Saint Viator Hockey Club, which held their Pink the Rink Oct. 14 at the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect. Wearing pink jerseys, and with fans wearing pink in the stands, it was indeed a pink-out at the rink.
Members of the volunteer hockey board that runs the club helped to organize the event. Activities included a bake sale, basket raffle, 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and selling the team’s spirit wear.
“We had a huge crowd, raised lots of money, and came away with a win,” says Coach Tim Benz. “This is my 7th season at Viator and we have done the event every year. All three teams were huge contributors in promoting the event, with Varsity, Varsity 2 and JV all wearing special pink jerseys in support of the event.”
Back
The bowling team is the newest group to join in the campaign. They were led by Brendan Patton ’25, who worked with his teammates to create a flyer, design T-shirts and procure prizes for a raffle, such as gift cards to Beverly Lanes, the team’s home site, and Chicago Wolves tickets.
“The thing that most motivated me to do something like this was I have a family member and family friends who all have had breast cancer,” Brendan says. “I also was motivated to do this, knowing we had a few practices in October (since the team competes in the winter season).”
He didn’t stop there. Brendan worked with Campus Ministry to decide on a charity for their fundraiser and plan out the logistics for the day. They would end up raising more than $1,300 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation their first year out.
“I am so proud of how Brendan made this event happen, from being the one with the idea to having it all come together on October 30th,” says Coach Andrew Weber '12. “This event would not have happened without Brendan. He truly exemplifies the Viator Way in action.”
While this was a first for Saint Viator bowlers, the volleyball team has been holding Volley for a Cure for nine years and with Wheeling High School the last five years, alternating between the two schools to host the event.
A lot goes into it, mostly carried about team members. For starters, they decorate nearly every inch of the Cahill gym, with banners, balloons, and streamers. They also sell T-shirts, hold split the pot raffles, procure prizes for raffle baskets, and collect donations at both schools, for their annual recipient: the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, their efforts resulted in a nearly $8,400 contribution.
Before the game, both teams honored breast cancer survivors and loved ones lost too early to the battle, including Coach Charlie Curtin’s mother.
While Curtin takes pride in seeing the Wheeling Wildcats and the Lions come together for this cause, he credits his players in taking ownership of the event.
“It always amazes me to see our girls step up and try to outdo the previous year. It gives them a sense of accomplishment but expands their philanthropic giving power and allows them to realize the impact they can have,” Coach Curtin says. “This fits into our mantra of creating well-rounded athletes who will make a positive impact on the world they live in.”
Rounding out the pink attack was the Saint Viator Hockey Club, which held their Pink the Rink Oct. 14 at the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect. Wearing pink jerseys, and with fans wearing pink in the stands, it was indeed a pink-out at the rink.
Members of the volunteer hockey board that runs the club helped to organize the event. Activities included a bake sale, basket raffle, 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and selling the team’s spirit wear.
It all added up to a $7,600 donation to the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in Chicago, which works to eradicate breast cancer by investing in early career practitioners and innovative research.
“We had a huge crowd, raised lots of money, and came away with a win,” says Coach Tim Benz. “This is my 7th season at Viator and we have done the event every year. All three teams were huge contributors in promoting the event, with Varsity, Varsity 2 and JV all wearing special pink jerseys in support of the event.”
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
