Coaches Grab Baton in Port Cancer Fight

Port Washington sports fans are used to the Port Washington Vikings winning accolades on the playing fields. Now at the annual Relay for Life walk-a-thon taking place at on June 16, Port coaches are set to take center stage as honorees for their fundraising and educational efforts in district schools.

“From the Coaches vs. Cancer basketball game to the Strike Out Cancer softball tournament, our school coaches are leading a winning strategy on cancer awareness and fundraising,” said Lee Anne Vetrone-Timothy, co-chair of the 2012 Relay for Life.

For the first time, Relay organizers will honor 17 district coaches during the evening’s opening  eremony.  Athletic Director Stephanie Joannon will join 16 of her fellow coaches in accepting commendations for promoting healthy lifestyle choices and fundraising for cancer programs.

"When our teams and coaches get involved in causes such as cancer awareness, our athletes become part of something bigger than the games,” Joannon said. “It brings to light the appreciation of living life every day to the fullest and working to help bring about a cure. I am very proud of the efforts of our teams and coaches." 

For many coaches, the fight against cancer hits close to home. Schreiber basketball coach Sean Dooley organized this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer basketball game after losing his mother to the disease.

on February 11, “I lost my mother to ovarian cancer in June. Three of my grandparents have passed on due to cancer, and my other grandmother is fighting breast cancer right now,” he said.

“My father has also been diagnosed with rectal and prostate cancer but caught them early so he is actually cancer-free right now. So as you can probably tell it's something that has had a very big impact on my life,” Dooley added.

Other coaches being honored in addition to Dooley and Joannon include Lisa Belmonte, Lauren Bishar, Patty Borzon, Patrick Faraday, Joe Lederer, Virginia McMahon, Rich Miglietta, Matt Holzer, Raquel Piraino, Jamal Ramsey, Mary Romano, Ann Sautkulis, Phil Spotteck, Eric Sutz, and Dennis Trottier.

Relay for Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society. To date the 2012 event has raised nearly $45,000. The Port Washington Relay is the largest of its kind in Nassau County, raising nearly $1.2 million since its inception.