Ramapo Gymnastic Team Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research

The 2012 State Champion Ramapo High School Gymnastic Team donated $1,100 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey for its breast cancer awareness program last week.

Funds were raised through a Ramapo fall T-shirt drive. The team sold “Pretty in Pink, Relentless in Our Pursuit” t-shirts to other Ramapo fall sports teams in an effort to unite for the cause.

The gymnastics, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, and volleyball teams all got on board to raise funds and wear the t-shirts in support of breast cancer awareness.

The idea for the t-shirt phrase came from gymnastic team member Lauren Kish, who had heard about a young mom who passed away over the summer from undetected breast cancer.

Coach Jennifer Levirne and the team quickly got on board and sought out other teams to purchase shirts.

“Each team we contacted had a story about a mom, family member, or friend who has been affected in some way by breast cancer,” Kish said. 

She contacted Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey offices, which donated laces and pamphlets that were distributed with each t-shirt sold by the Gymnastics Team.

“We learned how important it was to get this information out to young women,” said Claire Scavone, gymnastics team captain. “We were really touched by the efforts to contribute made by all the teams.”  

The gymnastics team had the assistance of Kim Wolfe of TNT Max, who donated her services by creating art for the t-shirt. They were also assisted by Michael’s Sporting Goods of Oakland, which discounted the price of the t-shirts.

The gymnastics team hopes to put together a team to run in this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K run on May 5 in West Orange.

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