Garden City, N.Y. – Over the past 10 years, the Adelphi University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has been involved with the Cans-for-Cancer program; an initiative set up in order to help raise money for the Winthrop University Hospital Children's Cancer Center.
The program was initiated in 2001 by Winthrop Hospital located in Mineola, N.Y. who then partnered with Adelphi Athletics two years later in 2003; marking the first collegiate partnership of its kind. Spearheaded by Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Robert E. Hartwell and run by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Adelphi has since given nearly $50,000 to the Children's Cancer Center.
“I see the success of this program having been built on two primary factors,” stated Hartwell. “The first is certainly that the program is able to give financial support to children with cancer. And the second is the experience of seeing the dedication and commitment of our student-athletes to the long-term unique effort for the benefit of the kids.”
Since its inception, every team has been assigned special recycling bins which are set up in each building and all around campus that are for plastic and aluminum cans and bottles. Every week, the student-athletes empty their respective receptacles and bring it to a storage bin located behind the practice field. Throughout the year, the bin is sorted and then sent off to a recycling plant. Once all the proceeds are collected, SAAC then visits the center to present a check to Winthrop. In return, they are given a tour to see the advances and new treatments that the money has allowed them to enjoy. Additionally, members of SAAC get to sit down and spend time with some of the young patients to see just how much their efforts are helping in the battle against cancer.
“The Center at Winthrop Hospital is known for excellence in their treatment for children with cancer,” Hartwell said. Our student-athletes are highly motivated to keep the program running because they see how much of an impact it has on the young patients in helping to fight and win such difficult battles.”
Over the past seven years, the program has been generating an average of around $7,500 with efforts from 2007-08 reaching $8,300. Most recently, SAAC and the Athletic Department presented a check to Winthrop for $7,200 as a result of the recycling program during the 2011-12 year. The program is currently in its 10th year running and continues to be a success year in and year out.
“Our Cans for Cancer program does not need any supervision to be successful. It has become a team effort from all of the student-athletes and I am proud that Adelphi Athletics is part of such a great cause.”
