Shrewsbury cheerleaders selected to attend cheer clinic with New England Patriots Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders from Shrewsbury have been selected to attend a special cheer clinic run by the New England Patriots Cheerleaders on Dec. 20. The Shrewsbury High School cheerleaders raised $2,403 to support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Cheer for Dana-FarberSM fundraiser, qualifying them as one of five teams to attend the clinic at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

The second annual Cheer for Dana-Farber fundraiser was held Aug. 1 through Nov. 27. The Shrewsbury High School cheerleaders raised money by canning at football games and other sporting events in town, as well as hosting a cheer clinic for younger kids in the town of Shrewsbury and surrounding towns

“We are so honored to have earned this opportunity,” said Maria Smith, Shrewsbury High School varsity cheerleading assistant coach. “My mother died of brain cancer in August. The care she received at Dana-Farber inspired me to have the team participate. The girls are very excited to be part of it, and of course are looking forward to the clinic with the Patriots Cheerleaders.”

Based on their fundraising totals, Beverly Panthers Titans, Beverly Panthers Crusaders Wakefield High School, and Georgetown High School cheerleaders also qualified to attend the cheer clinic. In addition, the Lowell High School cheerleaders were selected to perform a pre-game cheerleading routine at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 28 when the New England Patriots host the Buffalo Bills.

The prizes for Cheer for Dana-Farber were graciously provided by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Trustee Robert and Daniel Kraft, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots, all longtime Dana-Farber supporters.

“We congratulate the Shrewsbury High School cheerleaders on their hard work and dedication in supporting our mission,” said Brenda Goodell, assistant vice president for event fundraising at Dana-Farber. “These young athletes are raising awareness in their local communities while truly making a difference in the fight against cancer.”

Seventy-three teams raised more than $80,000 in 2014. To learn more about Cheer for Dana-Farber, please visit: www.cheerfordanafarber.org or #cheerfordanafarber on Twitter.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is world-renowned for its leadership in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of NCI and National Institutes of Health grant funding.