MASSAPEQUA, NY — Plainedge High School's girls varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams raised $2,900 for Huntington Hospital's Maggie's Wish Cancer Fund through their annual Dig Pink fundraiser.
The student-athletes presented a check to hospital representatives on Oct. 20, at the high school, marking the third consecutive year the volleyball program has supported the fund, which provides financial assistance and fulfills special wishes for cancer patients.
Maggie's Wish was established 21 years ago in memory of Maggie DeMaria, a Huntington Hospital patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at age 45 and died two years later.
While receiving treatment, Maggie joined a hospital support group and befriended other patients facing financial hardships during their cancer battles.
Before her death, she asked her family to help those patients so they could focus on their treatment without the additional stress of everyday expenses. Her sister, Dottie DeMaria, helped establish the fund to fulfill the request.
"I want you to take care of people for me. Nothing else. Dottie recalled her sister saying. "Just take care of the people that need it most."
Over the past 21 years, Maggie's Wish has supported patients and their families through fundraising events, community donations and contributions from organizations like Plainedge's volleyball program.
Dottie said the family initially raised money through large fundraising parties and garage sales. Younger family members have also contributed through cookie and lemonade sales.
Colin Fratrik, head coach of the girls volleyball program at Plainedge High School, said Dig Pink has been a longstanding tradition, but the teams decided three years ago to redirect their fundraising efforts from a national organization to one that directly serves Long Island patients.
A leader of the program's parent booster club discovered Maggie's Wish, prompting the teams to establish the partnership.
The students raise money through T-shirt sales, basket raffles and donations collected during volleyball games. Opposing teams also participate in the fundraising efforts.
The initiative involves varsity and junior varsity players, from freshmen to seniors.
"It really shows them the importance of going back and giving back and helping other people who are going through really tough times," Fratrik said.
Marie Roggenkamp, RN, manager of patient care at Huntington Hospital, shared stories of patients who benefited from previous fundraising efforts, including a late 21-year-old man with advanced colon cancer whose wish was to take a helicopter ride around New York City.
Hospital staff arranged the trip through Maggie's Wish. Roggenkamp recalled that the young man returned describing it as "the best night of my life."
In another case, the fund helped a woman with advanced cancer spend an evening singing karaoke with family and friends in New York City. The group also used remaining funds to get matching wrist tattoos to commemorate the experience.
Beyond special experiences, Maggie's Wish helps patients cover expenses that traditional health insurance may not, including medications, rent, mortgages, transportation and medical equipment.
"It really is a local fund that we know real time where the money is going," Roggenkamp said.
Huntington Hospital President Dr. Nick Fitterman said students for helping address needs that extend beyond traditional medical treatment.
"Today, they're no longer students —they're not volleyball players — they are healthcare, because what they just did helps fill gaps in healthcare," Fitterman said. "They help reduce pain and suffering."
Fitterman said the donations complement the hospital's cancer treatments by addressing other challenges patients may face, such as paying for food, housing, transportation and assistance at home.
"It's so heartwarming to know that the community is behind us in what we try to do for cancer patients," he said.
For Dottie, seeing another generation of Long Islanders support the fund represents the continuation of her sister's final wish.
"I love it," she said of the students' efforts. "We just want to get out the word even more."
Asked what Maggie would think of the work accomplished in her memory, DeMaria said she would be proud.
"She'd be so darn proud," DeMaria said. "She'd say, 'Dottie, don't shut up. Keep talking.'"
More information about Maggie's Wish, including how to donate, is available through the Northwell Foundation.
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